NORTH ALLEGHENY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Preparing all students for success in a changing world
Community Members
Pledge to Fund NASH
Helping Pantry
A
t the June 26, 2019, School Board Meeting, the Board of
School Directors accepted a donation of $5,000 from Paul
Heckman and Marcia Caliendo to fund a Helping Pantry
at NASH, a resource that will be available to students who are
classified as homeless and/or face significant financial challenges.
Paul and Marcia made the generous donation in honor of Marcia’s
parents, Fay P. and Raymond J. Caliendo, Sr.
As North Allegheny’s student population continues to increase,
so does the number of homeless students. During the 2018-2019
school year, 18 students were classified as homeless. While some
of these students reside with friends or family, some students
are forced to live in local shelters. The McKinney-Vento Homeless
Assistance Act is a federal law which governs how homeless
children and youths are supported. It is most often in the best
interest of the student to continue to attend school in their school
of origin, even if their homeless situation has them residing
outside of the District’s borders.
School counselors and teachers are the first to realize when
a student needs assistance with personal grooming, school
supplies, or winter clothes. During the past school year, it became
clear that students would be better supported by a constant
supply of basic necessities that are easily accessible. The Helping
Pantry at NASH will keep and organize basic supplies that
students living in non-traditional and or temporary conditions
struggle to access, such as clean socks, backpacks, snacks, winter
coats, gloves, undergarments, feminine hygiene products and
school supplies. Organizers of the Helping Pantry look forward to
implementing this new resource this Winter.
In order to help with educational expenses, NA Foundation
also administers an Angel Fund program. Through this fund,
the Foundation receives requests for aid to cover testing fees,
uniforms for vocational programs, Summer Academy tuition
and field trip costs. Donations to support the Angel Fund and
ongoing support of the Helping Pantry can be made at
northallegheny.org/donate.
Please
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NORTH ALLEGHENY