FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (WTVD) -- As students return to classrooms across North Carolina, educators in Cumberland County are focused on more than just academics - they're working to make sure no child is hungry or without basic necessities.

At Max Abbott Middle School in Fayetteville, staffers started the new school year prepared to offer help to students in need.

"Middle school in general is a beast in itself," said Michelle King, a social worker at Max Abbott. "They're trying to figure out who they are, their emotions, who their friends are, and stuff like that."

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King says many students face hardships that go beyond the classroom. The goal is to remove barriers that could get in the way of learning.

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