We care, and we know that the public does too. We are often asked this question by district residents: how can we help Rider students and families in need?
The district operates Ichabod Cares, our network of safety net programs to assist our students and families in various ways. These programs include the distribution of essentials such as food, clothing, shoes, toiletries, and more. This article provides an overview of some donation-accepting programs and how you can contribute to support them.
In all three buildings, staff run programs to distribute food to dozens of students and their families each week. This helps provide food over the weekends when other food resources, including school breakfasts and lunches, aren’t available.
At the Primary and Middle Schools, staff coordinate the BackPack programs, created in partnership with the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York. The program offers child-friendly, shelf-stable, and easily consumed food on a weekly basis. Staff discreetly pack and distribute bags to students on Fridays, and coordinate efforts to financially support the programs.
Ichabod’s Table is the High School’s food distribution program. The program is sustained by donations and its partnership with the Regional Food Bank’s School Pantry Program. Participating students receive an array of items, which can include non-perishable, fresh, frozen and refrigerated options. HS Librarian Jennifer Two-Axe runs Ichabod’s Table, as well as Ichabod’s Closet. The Closet accepts donations of clothing, shoes, coats and toiletries. Students can access The Closet throughout the day and after school by contacting Jennifer Two-Axe.
The Middle School also operates Take What You Need Bins and the Middle School Closet, where students have access to an assortment of items, such as a range of toiletries and clothing.
The Music Department also accepts donations of instruments and black clothing for student concerts.
How to donate to these programs:
Both BackPack programs:
- To donate online, visit www.regional foodbank.net. Click on the “Donate Now” link. Select “Children’s Programs” and put BP Ichabod Crane (Primary or Middle School) in the “Partner Agency Name” section.
- To send a check, mail it to Regional Food Bank, 965 Albany-Shaker Road, Latham, NY 12110. The check should be made out to Regional Food Bank of Northeastern NY, with BP Ichabod Crane (Primary or Middle) on the memo line.
Ichabod’s Table:
- Checks can be mailed to Ichabod Crane High School, c/o Jennifer Two-Axe, 2910 Route 9, Valatie, NY 12184, and made out to Ichabod Crane. In the memo, specify Ichabod’s Table.
- Monetary donations can also be sent to the Regional Food Bank of NENY 965, Albany-Shaker Road, Latham, NY 12110. Please include in the memo section ICCHS 1895T.
Ichabod’s Closet:
- For donations, they are accepting gently used or new clothing, coats, shoes and sneakers. They also accept toiletries such as shampoo, conditioner, body wash, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, etc.
- All donations can be dropped off at the HS greeter station or arrangements for pick-up can be made with Jennifer Two-Axe via email. (jtwo-axe@ichabodcrane.org).
Middle School Bins and Closet:
- For the Take What You Need Bins, they are accepting deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, toothbrushes, toothpaste, hair brushes, feminine products and hair ties.
- The Middle School Closet is in need of socks, sweatpants and sweatshirts in all sizes, as well as girls/womens leggings.
- All donations can be dropped off at the MS greeter station.
Music Department:
- To make a donation, please fill out this Google Form. If you have any questions, please contact Amy Giammattei, the department’s Team & Curriculum Leader, at agiammattei@ichabodcrane.org.
Blue and White Clothing:
- We collect gently used ICC clothing to share with our students who don’t have or can’t purchase their own blue and white Rider gear.
- Students in all three buildings can drop off their items in the main offices. If you are interested in receiving a donation, please contact your building’s counselor or administrator.
We all appreciate the ongoing and generous support that our community consistently provides to our Rider family!