STOCK THE ROCK: Superintendent Jermall Wright at Washington Elementary. Brian Chilson

The “Stock the Rock the Wright Way” campaign for the Little Rock School District had a successful haul of nonperishable items Wednesday. Superintendent Jermall Wright was stationed outside of Booker T. Washington Elementary — one of the city’s six community schools — helping bring in the goods.

On site, Wright said that he was having fun and was excited to see the cars trickle in.

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Brian Chilson
HYGIENE PRODUCTS NEEDED: Wright said that the demand for things like toothbrushes, soap and deodorant is high.

The push to get goods in the pantries was both timely for next week’s spring break and because of an uptick in requests lately, Wright said. Some kids’ only meals come from school. With the week-long break ahead, some may go without a reliable source of food.

“It’s getting harder and harder to keep the pantry stocked,” he said.

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Brian Chilson
HELPING HANDS: Excited students helped bring in the donations Wednesday.

Little Rock’s community schools each have a large pantry indoors. At Washington Elementary, Assistant Principal Michelle Moore said that food bags are also available for pick-up every Tuesday and Thursday. A local restaurant also provides a free meal each week, too. 

Moore said that her school’s pantry has lots of shelves for dry goods like pastas and cans, but also some freezer space for other donations. In addition to food, the pantries also are stocked with household goods and hygiene products.

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Brian Chilson
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Valerie Wingert with South Main Creative brings in donations from the public.

Wright said that the community schools see families in need on a consistent basis. The donations received at any LRSD location Wednesday will be distributed across the schools to meet urgent needs.