LEWISTOWN — Mifflin County High School students facing food insecurity now have another option to help them get through the weekend.

The Caring Closet, originally created to provide students with clothing and hygiene items at no cost, has expanded to include a food pantry.

From 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Fridays, students can visit the no-cost shop within the school to pick up food items and other essentials.

Rachel Davis, Mifflin County High School special education coordinator, and her life skills class helped launch the Caring Closet last spring. It began with items such as prom dresses, gym clothes and personal care products — and proved so successful that it has since grown to include food.

Davis said the idea started when she and her students collected prom dress donations for the “Night to Shine,” a prom for individuals with special needs.

“We had a huge supply left over and realized it was an opportunity to foster community within our school and help more students,” Davis said.

Now, the Caring Closet offers everything from hats and gloves to shoes, boots and brand-new jackets for winter, as well as dresses, shorts and sandals for warmer months. Personal hygiene products are also available.

The addition of the food pantry not only supports students in need but also gives Davis’ students valuable work experience by helping organize and manage donations.

“If we don’t have it, we find a way to get it,” Davis said.

Davis noted that elementary schools in the district already have a backpack program that sends food home with students each Friday. She wanted to ensure older students received similar support.

Following what Davis calls the “rule of two,” each student is provided with two breakfast items, two lunch items, two dinner items and two snacks to last through the weekend.

Donations for the Caring Closet and food pantry can be dropped off at the Mifflin County High School main office.