The COVID-19 pandemic and all that came along with it over the past two years has added to the strains that many families deal with, from food insecurity to mental health struggles.

According to Feeding America, one in six children in New York state face hunger.

What You Need To Know

  • Niagara Wheatfield Central School District has opened a Family Support Center
  • The support center includes an on-campus food bank
  • Families can get help accessing a variety of services available in the school and community

Tucked away inside a small room at Niagara Wheatfield High School, social worker Kara Kirk takes a look at what’s in stock on the shelves of the on-campus food pantry that's been open for a few months now.

"It’s becoming more and more evident that families are struggling to make ends meet and sometimes you have to make choices on what you can afford to buy," she said.

The school district, where about 37% of kids live in poverty, has partnered with FeedMore WNY to open the food pantry. It’s available any families in need in the district, whether they reach out on their own or get referred by counselors or school staff.

"If we can provide some of the non-perishable items so they can use their money to buy fresh foods or to supplement with meat and refrigerated products, then I think we’re really helping families stretch that dollar and make a difference," Kirk said.

A group of life skills students also help unload and stock the shelves when deliveries come in.

"They have really helped make the food pantry look nice and neat and keeping things well stocked,” Kirk said. “Looking at things like expiration dates. Making sure that things aren’t damaged and just keeping it nice and organized.”

The food pantry is just part of a larger effort in the school to make sure students and families have what they need. The Family Support Center also provides a "caring closet" filled with hygiene products donated by teachers and the United Way.

"If families can spend that money on their bills, on their groceries, on clothing and if we meet them in the middle with some help here, we’re glad to do that," Kirk said.

The Family Support Center also helps link folks to a variety of services like mental health and substance abuse counseling, parenting support, housing, clothing needs and more.  

"We try to address basic needs for families, as well as social-emotional needs for families and for kids as well," Kirk said.

The district was able to use some of its pandemic restoration funds to get the support center up and running, becoming a place to turn to at the center of the community.

"We certainly knew that, especially with the pandemic, that so many our families were struggling, that we needed to do something to help sustain growth in that area," Niagara Wheatfield Assistant Superintendent Thomas Stack said.

"Kids are spending the majority of their day in our care, and we want to have strong relationships with our families,” Kirk said. “We want them to feel comfortable coming into our schools or picking up the phone and calling and saying, 'Hey I need some help. Can you help me out?'"

Families in the Niagara Wheatfield School District can contact the Family Support Center at 716-215-3007, or you can check out their website with a host of resources available.