Princeton Closet expands with food pantry

The Princeton Closet is stocking up for the new school year, with expanded space and donations.

The outreach effort started by former teacher Susan Wyder, in an actual closet nearly six years ago, expanded to one room, and now two rooms at the Princeton Administration Center. The extra space allows the Princeton Closet to expand its services to students and their families in need, adding food to its supplies of clothing, shoes and school supplies.

Modeled after a recent donation drive by motorcycle group Star Touring and Riding and Feed the Children, conducted at Dayspring Church of God in Forest Park recently, Wyder decided to gather nonperishable goods for Princeton families in need.

Families identified through referrals by Princeton counselors and principals can pick up a box of food once a month. Wyder, who also serves as president of the Princeton Board of Education, said that this time frame fits into the routine of other local pantries that provide food to local families once a month.

“If they go to the other pantries one week a month,” Wyder said of organizations including Valley Interfaith Food and Clothing, and the Healing Center, “they can come to us once a month to fit into that cycle.”

To ramp up the supply of food, Princeton’s athletic department will collect canned goods at the first athletic event of each sport throughout the school year.

Students are participating in the volunteer effort, as well. Princeton cheerleaders have volunteered to help put school supplies into back packs for the district’s eight elementary schools.

Glendale’s police department is also collecting school supplies and back packs to prepare for the Aug. 15 first day of school. The annual collection is donated to Glendale Elementary students.

While Wyder is collecting food for the new pantry, she is also gathering clothing and school supplies. Frame USA in Springdale, which features a charity each month, put the Princeton Closet on the schedule in July. That donation will be used to buy supplies, and Wyder is accepting in-kind and cash donations as well.

“We want our students to be healthy, happy and successful,” Wyder said. “How can you concentrate if you’re hungry, or focus if everyone else has school supplies and you don’t?”