St. Paul’s Episcopal Church is opening a Personal Item Pantry for Schmitt Elementary School students and the community.
A ribbon cutting is planned for 11 a.m. Oct. 24 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 2651 California St.
St. Paul’s started this item pantry because they wanted to become better neighbors to Schmitt Elementary and the neighborhoods around them, said Nancy Morris, a church vestry member.
The mission of the pantry is to provide clothing, hygiene supplies and books for Schmitt Elementary students. However, families outside the school and church can come to the church if they need supplies.
If people are interested in donating items to the pantry, they can do so by bringing them to the front office of St. Paul’s.
“This started because a lot of children went to Schmitt School and needed warmer clothing, they needed a change of clothes or they did not have the personal items they needed,” Morris said.
St. Paul’s turned its basement into the pantry and made it resemble a storefront. Parents can come into the item pantry with their children to obtain needed items.
The door to the pantry is coded and that information has been given to students, parents and Schmitt staff. For those outside the Schmitt domain, the code can be obtained from the front office of the church.
“We have a very private entry and it makes for the most welcoming effort we can for children who are in need of things,” Morris said.
