East Stroudsburg, PA – According to WNEP, students from East Stroudsburg South High School’s Key Club joined forces with the Pocono Mountains United Way to bolster local clothing closets in Monroe County, ensuring community members have access to quality wardrobe essentials.
On a recent day at East Stroudsburg South High School, rows of boxes filled with new pants lined the tables, ready for distribution. The Pocono Mountains United Way had procured 650 pairs of these versatile garments, aimed at supporting various organizations across the county. This initiative underscores a commitment to providing aid with dignity, rather than mere hand-me-downs.
“To make sure people are given the best, not just the last resort, whether that’s food pantry or clothing closet, treating them with dignity and respect is giving them the best we have,” emphasized Michael Tukeva, President and CEO of the Pocono Mountains United Way. His words highlight the organization’s philosophy of offering high-quality support to those facing economic challenges in the region.
The high school’s Key Club members played a pivotal role in preparing the donation. Under the guidance of club president Mia Cabareo, the students efficiently sorted the pants by size and gender, packaging them into boxes for ten different recipient organizations. “We were able to streamline a process where we could easily organize the boxes based on size, and for men and women. We were able to distribute them into boxes so we could give them out to the organizations that are going to be here,” Cabareo explained.
Among the beneficiaries was the Light of the World Church in Minisink Hills. Volunteer Danielle Owens noted the closet’s vital role, serving over 50 individuals each month. “You know, there are all different reasons why they come, but it is a very, very big need, and it’s just a joy to be able to help them,” she said. The donated pants, described as highly practical, can suit various professional and everyday needs—from office attire paired with a sport coat to durable workwear for kitchen staff.
“They are extremely versatile; you can wear them with a sport coat if you’re doing office work, but they are also functional, so if you’re a line cook in a kitchen, they’re suitable for that,” Tukeva added, illustrating the thoughtful selection of the donation items.
The effort extended beyond external organizations. Key Club members also utilized the opportunity to stock the shelves of their school’s own Purple Pantry, a resource space designed to assist students in need. This on-campus initiative addresses hidden struggles within the student body, fostering a supportive environment. “Within our school district even within our school we may have classmates we don’t even know are struggling economically, financially, and creating that support is important for them to feel like they have a stable community within the school,” Cabareo reflected.
This collaboration between the Pocono Mountains United Way and East Stroudsburg South High School’s Key Club exemplifies proactive community service and education in action. By involving young volunteers, the project not only meets immediate needs but also instills values of empathy and responsibility in the next generation. The donation of 650 pairs of pants represents a tangible step toward alleviating clothing insecurity in Monroe County, ensuring that residents can maintain professionalism and comfort in their daily lives.
Such partnerships highlight the broader role of nonprofit organizations and schools in addressing social welfare issues in northeastern Pennsylvania. The United Way‘s focus on dignity-driven aid continues to make a difference, one essential item at a time. For more information, visit WNEP.