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Helping children meet their needs is nothing new for educators. However, for Stephanie Huber and a team of four others at Southwest Middle School, they’re fulfilling needs beyond the classroom.
Huber — the school’s assistant principal — is leading those efforts with the creation of Southwest Station, a food pantry and free clothes closet on the school’s campus.
They’re doing it in a setting that looks like a small retail operation, to remove stigmas and create a dignified environment.
“When somebody is in need, they know they’re in need,” Huber said. “They don’t want it thrown in their face. So when we set it up, we wanted it to feel like an actual store that you’re walking into.”
Full shelves in a vacant classroom: Located in an empty classroom meant to serve as a storage area for furniture, Southwest Center serves students at Southwest Middle and Southwest Elementary schools.
Huber said she will not turn away students from other schools or their family members who are in need.
“We have so many families who are really struggling to make ends meet right now,” said Joan Higgins, a mental health facilitator at Southwest Middle.
“This has been an opportunity to help our families in a tangible way without involving hoops that can be a deterrent for some seeking help.”
Small staff, big hearts: Higgins was one of the first staff members Huber asked for assistance in setting up Southwest Center as she is routinely in touch with people in need.
Social worker Cassandra Perry, PE coach Joni Erwin and math teacher and social worker intern Shelly Calzada complete the core group that often can be found at the school at night and on weekends washing clothes or stocking shelves.
Calzada said volunteer work at Southwest Center “is an opportunity to pay back” the kindness and empathy she has received.
“My family and I went through a really difficult time after the birth of my micro preemie twins and the love and support from our community made a huge difference in our lives,” she explained.
Local businesses: Huber said Florida Blue gave the center a grant that has allowed the staff to purchase food at Walmart. Kelly Services has contributed food donations, while the Southgate Office Depot serves as a collection spot for donations. Hickman Homes donated wood for shelving.
How you can help: Southwest Station still has some big needs such as a trailer to store food and clothing and washers and dryers to clean donated clothes. They’re also looking for some smaller items, such as:
- Shelf stable and/or microwaveable boxes of food (Hamburger Helper, Velveeta Mac ‘n Cheese, microwaveable rice, etc.)
- Gas cards
- Citrus Connection bus cards
- Grocery store gift cards
- Personal hygiene items
- Children’s clothes
- Shoes for elementary and middle school children
If you’d like to make a donation, inquire about volunteering or have questions about donating items, you can contact Huber at stephanie.huber@polk-fl.net.
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Bravo! There are so many in need, and this is a wonderful way to help families. I dropped off toiletries and will be donating gift cards and clothing. ~ Natalie Oldenkamp, Southwest Junior High Alumna