HUGS St. Johns, community partners step up for local kids

HUGS St. Johns is expanding efforts to provide food and clothing to hundreds of children across St. Johns County.

Here’s what HUGS is currently working on and ideas for how you can help:

School-Based Food Pantries

Since 2017, HUGS has restocked food pantries every month at 20 St. Johns County schools. Each pantry offers kid-friendly, grab-and-go meals available directly from a trusted adult, often a school counselor. You can help. Host a community food drive or shop the HUGS St. Johns Amazon Wish List: https://a.co/1c3xHIC  

Clothing for Kids in Crisis

Since August, HUGS St. Johns volunteers have already packed urgently needed clothing bags for more than 225 local kids, and the need keeps growing. As temperatures drop, volunteers expect to fill dozens of new bags each week for students referred by counselors, social workers and partner nonprofits.

You can help Volunteer with HUGS St. Johns any Tuesday or Thursday. Sign up at signupgenius.com/go/70A0B44ACA829A0F85-57581355-hugs# or go to the Walmart registry at https://bit.ly/43dggEp or donate from the current wishlist:

• New underwear (PreK–12 sizes)

• New Walmart sneakers

• Trendy, school-appropriate clothing for middle and high school girls

See HUGS ST. Johns’ new website at http://www.stjohnshugs.org to send a note or find more information.