EXCHANGE: High school students aid others with 'pop-up shop'

High school students aid others with 'pop-up shop'

In a closet behind a classroom at MacArthur High School, shelves are lined with clothes, shoes, coats and toiletries free for the taking for any student in need.

The "pop up shop" began last year, thanks to students who knew that some of their classmates needed things they couldn't afford, or who had been victims of a house fire, or for some other reason lacked basic necessities.

When a student doesn't have a uniform shirt, or forgot deodorant that morning or doesn't have any, they can tell a teacher or come directly to Owens, who will take them to the pop up shop, which is in a corner out of the way of prying eyes to protect students' privacy.

The special-education department at the high school has a washer and dryer, and by working with them, the students can launder donations that need it, so everything is fresh.