A new “Panther Den” at Washougal High School is poised to provide a sort of sanctuary for students in need.
WHS officials will host a grand opening for the new “Panther Den” resource center, which will provide students with basic needs like food, personal hygiene products and clothing at 3:30 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 14.
Mary Pursley, a special education teacher at WHS, said there is definitely a need for the new resource “den” at Washougal High.
“As a teacher, you have kids in your room that you’re looking at and and you’re like, ‘Did you eat this morning?’ and they say, ‘No.'” Pursley says. “(We ask) ‘Why not?’ And they’re like, ‘We don’t have food.'”
Now, teachers will be able to help students get the basic necessities. Students in need can fill out a form for the Panther Den and choose specific foods or items of clothing, such as a jacket, belt or shoes.