Deodorant, milk, winter coats: the Winooski community shops for free at school

When Winooski community members don't have the money to purchase toothpaste, eggs or a winter coat, they can shop for free at the school.

The Necessity Store opened in September and with the Winooski school campus' major renovation completed in January, the store got a prime location in the lobby of the shiny, freshly-painted complex serving Pre-K through 12th grade.

But it's not just the students who benefit; the store was created to be a resource for all Winooski residents.

Patrice Lumumba, Winooski School District's Wellness Coordinator and the manager of the Necessity Store, knew the need was great but has been blown away by the response.

"It's outstanding. The community loves the store," he said.

Popularity continues to increase and he has worked hard to keep up with demand. At the official grand opening on March 17, 98 families came out and took home items they needed. By the end, "The shelf was empty − that's what we want," Lumumba said.

What is available at the Necessity Store

The store space was packed full of items on February 21, with the exception of the cooler which was low on perishable items like milk, eggs and meat because students would be out of school the following week for winter break.

Bins full of deodorant, toothpaste and soap lined shelves as well as flour, cornmeal, rice, canned goods, sugar and salt. Multiple racks of clothing held everything from sundresses to sweatshirts and even neckties. There were tubs full of winter gear like hats, gloves and boots and dozens of backpacks hung from a high shelf.

The items spilled out into the main entry of the school. Winter coats were on display on a rack just outside the store entrance and lining the opposite wall were nearly 100 boxes of fresh produce with workers from the Vermont Foodbank ready to disseminate bell peppers, small melons and other fresh crops. An entire class lined up and walked the length, filling up their bags with fruits and vegetables to take home.

How the Necessity Store works

The Vermont Foodbank and the Vermont Community Foundation provided grants to the school district to purchase items for the store from local stores and local farms. Gently used clothing and other items have also been donated.

Much of the fresh food products come from Green Mountain Farm, a regional food hub supplied by around 50 Vermont farms, and Costco. And because Winooski is incredibly diverse with families who have come from all over the world, Lumumba stocks food items that are staples in countries represented by those in the Winooski community. He shops at local Nepalese and African stores and offers African cornmeal, cassava flour and halal chicken, for example.

For the store's grand opening, Lumumba spent $5,000 on food which was gone that day.

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Popularity by the numbers: how the Necessity Store is reaching people

Since the Necessity Store opened, word has gotten out to the community and people are becoming more comfortable taking advantage of the service. Lumumba said many were hesitant at first taking items and not paying for them and recognizes there's stigma to overcome for some people accepting help.

For others it's become a daily way to subsist. Lumumba says there is one woman waiting for him everyday when the store opens. She calls him 'son' and says she depends on those resources.

The store has increased the amount of people it's serving, and Lumumba is using the numbers to inform how much and what to buy.

• September 2022 served 28 families and 80 students
• October 2022 served 35 families and 95 students
• November 2022 served 42 families and 104 students
• December 2022 served 64 families and 86 students
• January 2023 served 60 families and 83 students
• February 2023 served 62 families and 88 students
• March 2023 served 165 families and 230 students, so far, many of which visited during the grand opening.

In the fall, popular items included boots, coats and gloves. He said cooking oil, eggs and milk are among the most popular now, as well as meat. He buys 50 steaks a week and halal chicken has also been a favorite.

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Lumumba says he grew up with food insecurity and knows not many schools can offer this service to the community. The best part is "seeing the smile on the students' and communities' faces," which he says is priceless.

How to help the Necessity Store

For those who may be interested in donating money to the Necessity Store, contact the Winooski School District at (802) 655-0485 or info@wsdvt.org.  For new or gently used items you'd like to donate, contact Lumumba directly at plumumba@wsdvt.org.

The Necessities Store is located in the lobby of the Winooski school, 60 Normand Street, Winooski. As of Feb. 21, the store hours listed were Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8 to 11 a.m.; and Wednesdays and Fridays, noon to 4 p.m.

Contact reporter April Barton at abarton@freepressmedia.com or 802-660-1854. Follow her on Twitter @aprildbarton.