STATEN ISLAND, NY -- Students and families at Richmond Preparatory Charter school now have access to an in-school food pantry, which provides a range of groceries and hygiene products.

Richmond Prep, which is located on Richmond Ave. in New Springville, is one of the four schools within Staten Island’s Integration Charter Schools network. These Title 1 schools provide education to a total of 1,700 students, with most living in temporary housing and qualifying for free or reduced lunches.

In recent years, the administration at ICS had grown concerned about how food accessibility was affecting students’ attendance and grades.

“It was coming from the disparity of watching kids come to school angry and upset, and some not having breakfast at home,” said Terrence Smith, the network community

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