Supply drive for Pittsburgh homeless shelter underway at Fox Chapel Area High School

Fox Chapel Area High School students are collecting supplies for a Pittsburgh homeless shelter.

The effort is organized by the student government’s community outreach committee. The drive began late January and runs through Feb. 17.

People can make donations Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the high school, 611 Field Club Road in O’Hara.

Donations benefit the Second Avenue Commons shelter in the city.

“Drives are so important because it is a very efficient way to get goods to those that need them,” said Avanti Muvvala, sophomore and committee co-chair. “Unfortunately, there is a big chunk of people out there that do not have the necessary resources to have a stable life. Because of this, we need to help in any way we can and drives allow that opportunity.”

The committee began brainstorming ways to help homeless shelters in December.

Students see the collection as an opportunity to work with the community for a good cause.

“Homeless shelters need continuous support from communities to help end homelessness” said Alexandra Sroufe, junior and committee co-chair.

“I believe Community Outreach will receive outstanding support from the community. Our past donation drives have always been a hit, thanks to positive responses within the community. We are already watching the donations trickle in.”

Items being collected include new and gently used puzzles, games, books, new large slippers and large Crocs. Those donating books are encouraged to contribute ones that center around a positive topic.

“The community has never let us down and has always supported our drives and events that go to great causes, making so many struggling people out there, happy,” Avanti said. “I do not think there will be any difference this time, as our community is expanding through the help and support they lend us every day.”

Rachel Machen, high school counselor and student government community outreach sponsor, said it is important for students to learn how to help groups outside of their hometowns.

“We saw that the Second Avenue Commons opened this past November and was immediately filled to capacity in their efforts to meet the needs of Pittsburgh’s homeless,” Machen said.

“We reached out to see if we could help support them, and they immediately communicated that items to fill their engagement center would help them with their outreach. We think it’s important to let students know that they can make a difference and that no act of kindness is wasted.”