Submitted photo Pictured are WNY P-TECH students Dakota Kent, Parker Bohn, Myah Benjamin, Brandon Hamilton, Masen Miller, Paul Cunningham, Tiahjae Perez, Gavin Milner, Tyler McIntyre, Max Hansen-Ivett, and Jon Pilski, and Melissa Pietrkiewicz, school social worker.

SAVE Club students at WNY P-TECH STEM College & Career Academy in Dunkirk want to help those less fortunate in Chautauqua County.

With the help of Partners in Kind of Chautauqua County, the club will host a food and donation drive to help schools not already assisted by FeedMoreNY start a food and hygiene closet. Members are collecting items that will benefit students who find themselves bouncing around different houses throughout the week or who are unhoused.

SAVE Club, through the Sandy Hook Foundation, is a national initiative to build community within schools to prevent violence.

WNY P-TECH SAVE Club members recognize that there are barriers beyond the school walls for students across our county that make it difficult for them to focus and excel in their varying programs. While participating in acts of inclusion and connection throughout the year, they felt the need to do something about one issue in particular: food insecurity.

Thursday, Nov. 14, at the following locations: WNY P-TECH, 55 E. Benton St., Dunkirk; Vacanti’s Hair Salon, 7 E. Main St., Fredonia; and Forestville Chiropractic (4Square Wellness), 24 Main St., Forestville.

Items being collected include winter hats and gloves, travel-size shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, toothbrushes/paste, dry shampoo, microwaveable meals, rice pouches, hearty soups that do not require a can opener, protein bars, snack kits, beef jerky, granola bars, macaroni and cheese, fruit leather, fruit snacks, trail mix, and travel silverware.

Anyone with questions is asked to contact Melissa Pietrkiewicz, school social worker at WNY P-TECH, at 716-672-3144 ext. 2820.

WNY P-TECH offers a project-based, differentiated learning structure with specialized educators working in tandem with higher education, business partners, and public school districts. Students work to earn New York state Regents diplomas and A.A.S. degrees in Welding Technology, Mechanical Technology with specializations in CADD or machine tool, or Mechatronics from SUNY Jamestown Community College.