Earlier this winter, Somerville Family Learning Collaborative’s Clothing Closet volunteers received a generous donation from Mass General Brigham that provided the Somerville Public Schools with winter clothing for students in need. Mass General Brigham has been an SPS partner for many years, and they returned this season to provide more resources and much-needed items than ever before. After announcing the request in their company newsletter, employees across Mass General Brigham’s many sites provided hundreds of new pairs of socks and gloves as well as hoodies, hats, boots, and coats for students and their families in Somerville.

These items are distributed by Clothing Closet volunteers to School-based Family & Community Liaisons who pass them directly to students in need. Students and families in need have also received gift cards to Target and Market Basket that have been donated by employees at Eversource and Steel Workers Local 12004.

“We are so grateful to collaborate with Mass General Brigham. This is an incredible outpouring of generosity when it was most needed. We are seeing families struggle to put higher-priced food on the table, and to pay for higher utility bills and basic needs like winter clothing. It is challenging for the most vulnerable among us,” said Regina Bertholdo, Director of Basic Needs & Housing Support for SPS.

Clothing Closet volunteer Maren Chiu added, “This year we’re seeing our biggest demand ever for warm winter clothing. Shoes? They’re impossible for us to keep in stock. We couldn’t serve anywhere near as many students and families with basic needs without dedicated organizations like Mass General Brigham. The collaborative relationship we’ve had with them has been truly phenomenal for many years.”

The Somerville Family Learning Collaborative is the department of family and community engagement of the Somerville Public Schools. More information about their services can be found at somerville.k12.ma.us/sflc. If you know of a student or family who needs resources or information about access to clothing, food, housing, transportation, or other basic needs, please contact the Somerville Family Learning Collaborative’s Office of Basic Needs and Housing Support at 617-625-6600 x6994 or the SFLC main line at 617-625-6600 x6966. For more information, please visit  somerville.k12.ma.us/basicneeds.