Sikeston school, community work together to help families

SIKESTON -- More often than others may realize, some Sikeston families are in a constant need of food and other household items.

At Lee Hunter Elementary in Sikeston, the Bulldog Pantry was created to meet the needs of students and their families.

Elizabeth Martin, principal/academic leader of Lee Hunter Elementary, said retired Lee Hunter teacher Lynne DeWitt came to her in January and asked if she could start a pantry of items needed by students and their families.

"I said: 'I think that would be great idea,' Martin said. "The big factor was finding a place to put it because we don't have room."

However, they found a small space in the Title I classroom which was designated as the "Bulldog Pantry."

"People just started bringing her (DeWitt) donations," Martin recalled.

Supplies kept in the pantry include snack items, boxed and canned meals, breakfast items, shampoo, deodorant, soap, toothbrushes, tooth paste, hair brushes, clothes and more.

Martin said the need for supplemental food and household items is high for several of the school's families.

"We have a Backpacks for Fridays program for 20 kids, which is great, but some students and their families need more," Martin said.

DeWitt agreed.

"You hear it all the time, but when you're not around this all the time, you don't know there's a need. We have so many in need in Sikeston," DeWitt said.

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