How Does Cougar Cares Help?

9/25/2025 8:27 pm

GIVING CLOSET
Cougar Cares helps the Counseling Center keep a pantry stocked with essentials like snacks, school supplies, personal care items, and clothing basics, allowing students to get what they need easily and discreetly.

FOOD SUPPORT
Food insecurity is a reality for many CHS students and their families. Holiday breaks can be tough for students who count on breakfast and lunch at school, so Cougar Cares stocks up ahead of long weekends and holiday breaks. Students stop by and "shop" for cereal, ramen noodles, peanut butter, tuna, macaroni & cheese, granola bars, and other hearty snacks to take home.

FRUIT & SNACKS
Boy, teens are hungry! Cougar Cares helps the Counseling Center keep always available snacks on hand for anyone who needs a boost. Fresh fruit is by far the favorite. (Huge thanks to MEND NJ for supplying CHS with several cases of apples and oranges every single week.) Baskets of fruit are strategically positioned around the school — and are emptied almost as soon as they're refilled!

PROM SHOP
Senior Prom is in June, but before that, the CHS HSA Prom Shop pops up every spring to help our seniors look amazing and feel incredible as they dance the night away. Everything is FREE and open to all CHS students.

Prom Shop will start accepting donations of dresses, tuxes, shoes, and purses in January. Then the real magic happens in March and April when parent and student volunteers sort, set up, work the shop, and assist with alterations so every student looks their best at prom.

SENIOR ACTIVITIES
Financial assistance for senior activities is available through the district for those who qualify, but Cougar Cares helps fill in the gaps by providing additional aid for things like yearbooks, caps and gowns, and prom tickets. HSA donations fund Cougar Cares' mission to provide discreet, stigma-free support to students who need it.

SUMMER FOOD SUPPORT
Summer school days are long ... and the district doesn't provide breakfast or lunch. Cougar Cares helps keep snacks and drinks on hand so that hunger doesn't get in the way of learning.

EMERGENCY FUNDS
The need for support in our CHS community doesn't end in June. Cougar Cares helps students in need with emergency funds for housing, unexpected medical expenses, and household needs throughout the year. CHS HSA Cougar Cares is on call year-round to help fill needs as they arise.