A school has paid for electricity, food, coaches and even a bed for students’ families struggling with mounting bills.
Ysgol Nantgwyn’s staff, Rhondda Cynon Taf, has also pocketed his own to support the students.
During the pandemic, the school helped feed 16 families, but staff said more help was needed now.
Deputy Principal Ryan Evans said families had a choice between heating and eating.
The Tonypandy school group are now planning to raise money through a 24-hour Brecon Beacons hike starting Friday night.
The money raised will form the basis for a long-term emergency relief fund.
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Mr Evans, who is organizing the fundraiser, said more and more families of students are struggling with the cost of living crisis.
He said: “We’ve had some families who have had to face the question of whether to turn on the central heating or put food on the table.
“When these basic physiological needs of students are not being met, we need to work with our families to ensure we provide that level of support.”
He said the school strives to be as supportive as possible and sometimes that can mean responding to emergencies, with the school helping families through its community pantry.
Sometimes this is done through a school fund, sometimes employees have contributed.
“We used funds to help parents with utility bills, we had to provide emergency food assistance because there was no food in the house,” he said.
The school will also advise on other help that may be available.
It is expected that the pressure will increase in the coming months, which is why it was decided to hold a fundraiser on Pen-y-Fan.
The emergency relief fund that the school plans to launch from this hike will be offered in addition to existing programs like unified recycling and the school pantry.
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Kieran and Elliott, both 15 and in 11th grade, volunteer at the pantry.
Elliott sometimes writes down recipe ideas.
He said: “It’s for the community. The whole cost of living crisis, we’re all in the same boat, so we all have to be there for each other.”
It is being run by the school’s chief executive, Emma Beasley, who said she has built on good relationships built with families during the pandemic to ensure they are comfortable in the pantry.
“To see a kid come in to take home a bar of soap is heartbreaking, but at the same time it’s amazing for that kid because they know it’s here, it’s there for them,” she said.
Mr Evans said it could mean the difference between children attending school and not attending.
“It can be the difference between being able to focus on class and not being able to access their work because they’re hungry or dehydrated,” he said.
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