Louisiana Eighth-Grader Creates Supply Closet at His Middle School for Classmates in Need
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This article is one in a series at 蜜桃影视 that profiles the heroes, victories, success stories and random acts of kindness found at schools all across America. Read more of our recent inspiring profiles at The74Million.org/series/inspiring.
It鈥檚 not every 13-year-old who knows his purpose in life, but Chase Neyland-Square is that special kind of eighth-grader.
鈥淚 have a heart for giving,鈥� Chase . 鈥淚 just love helping people.鈥�
That鈥檚 not news to his classmates or teachers at Louisiana鈥檚 Port Allen Middle School, where the teen set up PAM鈥檚 Pantry. A closet stuffed with clothes, shoes, school supplies and more, PAM鈥檚 Pantry gives children in need the chance to get something special they might otherwise have to do without.
鈥淚 run this pantry because I believe that students shouldn鈥檛 be bullied or categorized based on what they have on,鈥� he on the first day of school.
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Students know they can whisper to the school receptionist or a teacher that they need something from the pantry, and the adult will quietly get it for them.
鈥淲e don’t want to embarrass the kids, but we want them to have what they need and feel comfortable asking,鈥� Principal Jessica Major , adding that teachers are on the lookout for students who need notebooks or clothes.
鈥淲e really want the kids to feel like they have somewhere to go when they need something,鈥� Major . 鈥淲e only have 215 kids, so we鈥檙e able to get to know them really well 鈥� and try to help them where we can.鈥� One student rebuilt her entire wardrobe from the pantry after she lost everything in a house fire, The Advocate reported.
The pantry has helped boost students鈥� self-esteem, technology teacher Michelle Tureau told The Advocate.
“It鈥檚 helping their confidence in their appearance and how they present themselves in the world,” she聽said. “It levels the playing field in how聽they’re perceived.”
This isn鈥檛 Chase鈥檚 first community project. He鈥檚 also set up dinners for senior citizens and collected 700 pairs of socks to give to Baton Rouge-area homeless, said his mother, Amanda Square.
“He seems to have a great passion for people,” she聽. “It makes me proud because we’re very blessed and I always encourage him to bless others.”
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Up to 10 students a week use the pantry, but it often runs short of blue polo shirts and tan khaki pants 鈥� the school uniform.
After WFAB-TV interviewed Chase for a back-to-school story, science teacher Samantha Mendenhall tweeted about it and got offers of clothing for the closet.
Chase, the youngest of six, credited his mother as his inspiration.
鈥淪he鈥檚 made me realize some people aren鈥檛 as blessed to have things,鈥� he said.
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