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Bangor reaches out with Vikings Care Closet

BANGOR, Mich. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) - A West Michigan community is helping its students, as a Bangor teacher started giving back to kids in need years ago.

Now, students are reaching out to their peers who have to go without.

Items were coming in faster than they could be unloaded at Bangor High School, as students and staff unpacked donated goods for those in need, at the Vikings Care Closet.

"We are like a family around here, so we are always helping each other out," Bangor senior Katie Kimbler said.

"It's great to know I can do something to help," said junior Alex Hoch. "If I can't go buy something for them personally, this is there to help."

The idea started 6 years ago with one teacher, who helped students on a one-on-one basis.

Now it's grown into something much larger.

"I'm blown away by the support from the community," said teacher Dale Hoch. "Literally, I asked for a pair of shoes, I got a truckload of shoes."

Students are now hosting a week-long drive to pull in more food and personal hygiene products, knowing that the community need continues to grow.

"It's been amazing watching something so small grow into something so large," observed junior Katie Hoch.

The students will be hosting the drive all next week, as the high school hopes to pull in 1,000 items.

If they reach their goal, the principal has agreed to dye his hair blue to mark the occasion.

For more information on the Vikings Care Closet, or on how to help, just click here.