WS/FCS volunteers make Thanksgiving Break kits for students and families facing housing insecurity

Volunteers with Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools are building Thanksgiving Break Kits this week for students and families in need.

The kits include various food items to help create meals that can serve a family for three to four days. They also include snacks, books, movie passes and other activities. 

At the last Winston-Salem/Forsyth County school board meeting, Superintendent Tricia McManus spoke about how the district started this service project back in 2021.

“Three years ago, it was an idea just to say how could the central office work together to provide support for families during Thanksgiving, and a very small idea has turned into a massive undertaking," McManus said. 

This year, the district plans to serve 400 families, the majority of which are experiencing housing insecurity. 

WS/FCS Executive Director of Community Engagement Mark Batten said that's because Nov. 11-18 National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week. Batten said the district was intentional about the contents of the kits. They contain items like canned vegetables, tuna, and chicken, so they also come with a can opener.

Along with the family food kits, volunteers will be creating packages specifically for unaccompanied youth, which refers to students without a parent or guardian in their lives. Their kits include meal items that are ready as is, and don't need to be heated up, as well as a collapsible, reusable bowl. 

Both kits also include things like toboggans, gloves, and hand warmers in preparation for the cold weather ahead.  

"So really thinking about, beyond nutritional items, really some some resources and comfort items, so that they at least have some moments of comfort while they're away from school over the Thanksgiving break," Batten said. 

The district currently supports 289 families and 41 unaccompanied youth dealing with housing insecurity.

Amy Diaz covers education for WFDD in partnership with Report For America. You can follow her on Twitter at @amydiaze.