Springfield, Mo. -- Springfield middle schoolers were among the first to step up and help when a fire at the Missouri Hotel left 185 people with nowhere to go. Pipkin Middle School students started a supply drive to collect basic needs items for the displaced residents.
"It made me feel kind of sad, because that's one of the only homes they had, because they didn't have a home in the first place," said Trinity Hardge, a Pipkin sixth grader.
The students who organized the supply drive at Pipkin said they knew they had to do something when they saw all the people displaced after a fire tore through their home at the Missouri Hotel the morning of January 20.
"Now they're back to where they started from and don't have anything again," said Pipkin Eighth Grader Elise Couch.
The supply drive at Pipkin runs through February 8. Students are gathering things like diapers, formula, tissues, shampoo, and toothpaste. Teachers help deliver the supplies to The Kitchen, Inc., at the end of every day.
"It goes directly out to them. I would imagine that we'll eventually catch up, but we haven't gotten there yet," said Rorie Orgeron, the C.E.O of The Kitchen, Inc.
Orgeron helps coordinate the incoming supplies and makes sure residents get the basic items they need. He said he is not surprised by all help coming from students at Pipkin.
"Little kids tend to recognize other little kids that are in trouble I think quicker than adults recognize other adults that are in trouble." said Orgeron.
Pipkin students are also helping with a fundraiser for the Missouri Hotel February 13. From 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. students will be serving up hot chocolate and collecting donations at the Askinosie Chocolate Factory at 514 East Commercial Street in Springfield.
