This holiday season is coming by quick and that means that school will be out for thirteen days. That’s a long time for some students. Big Sky has over half the student population on free or reduced lunch. Many of these students won’t be able to get all the resources they need over the break.

 However, there is a place at school to get all the resources students need over the holidays, the FRC. The FRC is short for the Family Resource Center. The program has been helping Big Sky students for many years. There are many different types of resources that they provide. It can range from food, clothing to even academic help. They also provide help to students who are in financial need and other programs that can help outside of school life. 

Since it’s the holiday season, the FRC ran a huge donation drive. They received many donations consisting of food, clothing, shoes and school supplies. Danielle Eads, one organizer for the FRC says that needs are always changing. 

The FRC has its own link on the school’s homepage that shows what the FRC is in need of. Some items that are always in need are female hygiene products, fresh fruit and toothbrushes. Eads says, “Some important items that are always in need are toiletries and food, whether it’s a snack for the day or a few cans to take home. Every item counts and can change whether a student goes to sleep hungry or not.” 

Big Sky’s Hosa club recently did a donation drive for the FRC. Their main goal was to receive toiletries for not only the FRC but also the bathrooms, especially for female hygiene. 

The FRC is located in room 21 in the F building. Eads encourages any and all students to drop by. It’s a safe place for every student and the doors are always closed. The FRC is usually open from 11 to 3. Eads says, “Some students may feel embarrassed to drop by, but there’s no need to feel that way. The FRC is meant for every student to help them in anyway possible. I encourage students to talk to advisors and their teachers in order to get the resources they need from the FRC.” 

When the FRC isn’t open or there isn’t any school, there are programs that are similar that are able to help students in need. Some of these programs are open from December 23rd to January 1st. One program is the Food Buses located at the Travis Village Trailer Park and at the Futura Trailer Park. They provide a lunch while EmPower, located at the MSLA Food Bank & Community Center provide all three meals during the break. 

Donations from Big Sky students are always appreciated, especially towards the long break. Any donations can be dropped off in the FRC during the available time frame. Any and all items will be helping your fellow Big Sky students during the long break!