Pop-Up Pantry!!!

     Drug use, bullying and elitism are all issues in Park City, but one pressing matter that never seems to dwindle is poverty. Not only do many families not have basic necessities for their home, but many adolescents can’t obtain “less important” things that are necessities to a teen to succeed.
     Treasure Mountain took these issues and many more into consideration when they opened Park City’s very first Pop-Up Pantry. Julie Hooker and her leadership classes were inspired to open the Pantry after reading a Huffington Post article about a high school in South Carolina that was doing the same thing. It took a surprisingly short amount of time for the pantry to get started. Julie Hooker states “Once Leadership l found the idea, it really took off. I pitched the idea to Leadership ll, people immediately started bringing in supplies. It took about a week to get it up and running.”
     Julie Hooker’s students realized that personal hygiene and beauty were not first priorities to families below the poverty line, but that it could affect the student in all aspects of life, whether that be social or educational. So the Pantry provide basics like toothpaste, feminine hygiene products, shampoo and deodorant. Though these may seem like things everyone has, these products are expensive and not purchased so families can have heat, food and rent money. Now, not everyone who uses the Pantry are in situations as drastic as these. Some just come because they want to do something special for their families even though they can’t afford it.
     “Pop-Up pantry benefits all kids. Those who organize and those who receive.” Emily Sutherland, TMJH Principal, states.

Inside the Pop-Up

     The Pop-Up pantry is located at Treasure Mountain Junior High in Julie Hooker classroom (Room 16). It is a confidential program, so anyone who would needs to use the Pantry remains anonymous. To donate, simply bring supplies to Julie Hookers room (Room 16). Think about stopping by and remember, take what you need no what you want.