Family Out Reach Team (FORT)

Why FORT Matters: A Letter from Our Social Worker

Dear Seawell Families,

I know that behind every child who arrives at school with what they need is a quiet network of support. I'm proud to partner with our PTA as part of FORT (Family Outreach Team) and hope that you'll join me. There are many ways to meaningfully contribute, either by participating or making a donation to help fund the program.

Emergencies happen all year round. We can never predict when or what a family may need during the school year. I've worked with parents choosing between feeding their children or paying the electric bill, families needing basic household items, and others facing unexpected crises. These moments don't wait for convenient times, and neither does FORT.

The holiday season brings additional challenges, leaving vulnerable students without consistent meals and resources. This is when FORT truly shines, serving as the feet on the ground to make sure each student is taken care of.

When our church partner can't find enough volunteers to sponsor every family, FORT steps in. They purchase gifts, wrap presents, promote food drives, and coordinate distributions. Most importantly, they help our families feel seen and valued.

Generous donations to the PTA help FORT purchase Food Lion gift cards for families in crisis, cover baskets and supplies for holiday distributions, address hygiene needs, and respond to emergent situations throughout the year.

FORT connects us with community resources like TABLE, IFC, and PORCH. They do countless things I'm endlessly grateful for. Every child at Seawell deserves to feel secure and cared for, and FORT makes that possible.

With gratitude,

Jodeci Farrington, MSW
School Social Worker
Seawell Elementary School

What FORT Does for Seawell Families

Year-Round Support

• Emergency assistance for families facing unexpected hardships

• Food Lion gift cards for families choosing between groceries and utilities

• Hygiene products and essential household items

Food & Holiday Drives

• Organize community-wide food collections

• Ensure every referred child receives Christmas gifts

• Purchase and assemble food baskets with dietary-appropriate gift cards

• Wrap gifts and run distribution events

Community Connections

• Partner with TABLE, IFC, and PORCH

• Purchase needed items when sponsorships fall short

• Provide materials and supplies for all distributions

Donations needed for the sharing/school supply closet!

Managed by Ms. Farrington, this closet collects backpacks, school supplies, and gently used/new shoes and winter coats. Your donations to our Sharing Closet will be distributed as needed to other Seawell families. FORT collects your donations all year round, but donations are especially needed at the beginning of each school year! Gift cards to grocery stores are also very appreciated. Here is a list of most needed items.

Help make sure our kids have food over the weekend!

About 1 in 3 children in Carrboro & Chapel Hill receive assistance for meals. To help combat food insecurity at Seawell, the PTA's FORT (Family OutReach Team) sponsors a weekend food backpack program with TABLE for some of our most vulnerable children. To be able to provide support we are seeking sponsor families. See more information here.

Seawell Buddies

Seawell Buddies is a program at Seawell Elementary through which families can help other families in their time of need. How does it work?

When our school social worker is notified of a Seawell family in crisis, an email will be sent out to the Seawell Buddies email list stating the family’s needs, such as food, furniture, clothing, transportation and/or whatever else is needed. If you have the needed items, then respond back to the school social worker.

Seawell Buddies works through a No-Obligation Email list. All of those on the list will receive email requests when needs arise. When you can donate an item, have time to deliver items, or have a truck to pick up large items, you can let us know and we will coordinate it all.

How to join Seawell Buddies?
You can sign-up online.  Or, you can print-out this form, complete it, and return it to Seawell.