YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - Calling it the Houston Challenge, Wilson Elementary School staffers collected food and supplies for Houston victims of Hurricane Harvey and they’re challenging staffs at the other Youngstown City Schools to do the same.

Volunteers from the St. Vincent DePaul Society already took the first load of items collected by Wilson employees on two trucks to Houston. The school collected the items, plus $140, in three days.

“Our staff is collecting items and then we are challenging Taft Elementary to do the same,” said Brienne Cool, one of the Wilson teachers who is spearheading the effort. “The goal is to keep it going and each school challenge another school staff in the district.”

Cool and fellow Wilson teacher Courtney Angelo will pick up items at each of the schools and take them to the St. Vincent DePaul Society so they may make their way to the hurricane victims.

Needed supplies:

Non-perishable food
Cases of water
Diapers and wipes
Formula for babies
Baby food
Convenience food for workers (jerky, protein bars)
Fix a flat
Work gloves
Tire patch kits
Blister band-aids
Bug spray
Sunscreen
Foot powder
Flash lights
Batteries
First aid kits (aspirin & ibuprofen)
Hip waders
New socks of all sizes
Rakes, shovels hatchets, etc.
Sun hats
5-gallon buckets
Chainsaws
Battery operated lanterns
Generators
Hand held can openers
Zip ties
Duct tape
Cleaning supplies
Tarps
Adult diapers
Toiletry items of all kinds (shampoos, soaps, toothpaste, toothbrushes)
New, packaged undergarments for adults and kids of all sizes
Phone and car chargers for iPhone and Android
Feminine hygiene products
Pet supplies
Paper plates and towels
DAMP RID (available at Home Depot & Lowe's)
Trash bags
Extra large plastic zipper lock bags
Plastic totes