Thousands of students in the state of Oklahoma lack the essential winter items needed during the cold weather season. Without the support given from the school and the programs within it, these winter conditions could be detrimental to children’s safety and health. 

However, the staff at SHS are already working ahead as the Pioneer Pantry prepares for the season.

“For the cold weather and winter months, the pantry always has coats, jackets, hoodies along with warm hats and gloves,” said Robin Johnson, SHS school nurse.

District nurse David Coates also explained that they collect winter weather gear to fit all students in child and adult sizes. 

The Pioneer Pantry provides many different types of items to the students year round. However, with the weather changing there are items that are much more needed this time of the year. 

Johnson shared that it is important to remember that they accept donations year-round.

“There is no school budget for this,” she said. “The pantry relies 100 percent on donations from the community.”

The Pioneer Pantry also accepts money and gift cards, which allows them to buy an item for a specific need if it isn’t already in stock.

Below is a list of popular items needed during the winter season:

• Hoodies black, gray, navy or other neutral colors in all sizes
• Sweatpants or joggers black, gray, navy or other neutral colors in all sizes
• Menstruation products
• Sneakers/athletic shoes for all ages and all sizes
• Men’s and Women’s deodorant
• Laundry Pods

When making donations, there are multiple locations people are able to drop off donation items. At the high school, there is a donation box near the front doors where items can be dropped off, Coates said. Coates also shared that people can take the donations to the health room.

Stillwater is located in the third poorest county in Oklahoma and 30 to 40 percent of people in Stillwater live in poverty, SHS Principal Mr. Howell said. The Pioneer Pantry has a large percentage of people to provide items for.

“Around 30 to 40 (students) a day access the Pioneer Pantry at the high school,” Howell said. Howell explained that breaking it down, about four out of every 10 students at the high school are in need of something that the Pioneer Pantry provides. 

School organizations, like the Pioneer Pantry, have positively influenced and aided so many young people’s lives, and the school continues to push towards that goal. 

“What I hope to achieve is just to allow more students to have what they need to be successful at school,” Howell said. “So my goal would be just that it is a nice, private spot for kids to get things if they are in need.”