Local all-volunteer nonprofit HUGS St. Johns is already busy this new school year providing food and clothing to local children in need.
Since 2008, HUGS volunteers have worked closely with St. Johns County school counselors, social workers and nonprofit partners like the Betty Griffin Center. HUGS has two primary areas of focus: providing for food- and clothing-insecure kids from pre-K through high school.
"Every year, St. Johns County has 400 or more children who are considered homeless, and thousands more living in poverty or facing crisis situations," said Founder and Director Brette Reiman. "Our volunteer team works so hard to meet the needs of these great kids. We are reaching out to the community because we truly need more volunteers."
Already, HUGS volunteers have packed more than 100 emergency clothing bags to kick-off the new school year and stocked emergency food pantries at 23 schools and partner agencies.
Clothing volunteers are needed any Tuesday or Thursday from 10 a.m. to noon at the HUGS warehouse in St. Augustine.
“Our clothing program volunteers help pack duffel bags filled with new and gently used clothing, shoes, socks, undies, toiletries and school supplies," said Karen Burke, clothing program co-director. "We appreciate volunteer help even just one day each month!"
HUGS volunteers also manage emergency food pantries at 23 schools and agencies and restock the first Friday of each month with canned items, snacks, breakfast food and more to fight food insecurity.
"We have a great team of delivery drivers who have a lot of fun together," said food program co-director Holly Ross. "We hope others will consider joining us the first Friday of any month to help deliver food to schools."
For more information about volunteering with HUGS St. Johns, email info@stjohsnhugs.org or check out https://instabio.cc/hugsinfo
