May 7, 2026- What began as a shared passion for helping others quickly grew into something truly special. Starting with nothing more than an empty room, students at Intermediate South created a welcoming space for students in need — their own "Confidence Closet," named the Seminole Pantry.

What makes this initiative unique is that these students — who make up the Seminoles in Service team, under the direction of teacher Amy Ross — didn’t stop at providing essential hygiene items; they also developed a pantry section to support students experiencing food insecurity. This effort has become a true community collaboration, bringing together school staff, students, parents, and local supporters who all share the same mission: ensuring students feel supported, cared for, and confident.

"What started as an empty room has grown into a meaningful resource that is already making a positive impact on so many students," said Assistant Principal Casey Daniel. "Their compassion, leadership, and dedication to helping others truly embody the spirit of our tribe.”

In just one month of full operation, the school has already documented five full pages — front and back — of student visits, demonstrating just how meaningful and necessary this resource has become. So much so that Ocean County Youth Services Commission — the agency whose Confidence Closet grant funding helped make the Seminole Pantry a reality — invited the school to present on its success, and that presentation was led yesterday by students Sophia Pich and Sadie Belanger.

"Thank you for giving us the opportunity to uplift, empower, and care for our tribe," the girls said to OCYSC representatives and other attendees after describing the impact the pantry has had on the school community.

“We are so beyond proud of Mrs. Ross and our students who took this idea and ran with it,” said Daniel. “As educators, our responsibility goes beyond academics. Every student deserves to feel supported, valued, and cared for, and the Confidence Closet is a reflection of what can happen when a community comes together to meet those needs."

The Wellness Room continues to grow and operate successfully through grant funding, and school leader excited to welcome and support even more students in the months ahead.