Sacramento’s Mustard Seed School sees influx of children

Sacramento’s Mustard Seed School for homeless children has started the year with more children than normal and is asking for donations of socks and undergarments to help meet their needs.

Mustard Seed, part of the Loaves & Fishes homeless services complex, typically has about 40 students, ages 3 to 15. It now is serving 50 children, said director Bryan Gross. Gross said the school is considering creating a waiting list for the first time in its 26-year history.

The Sacramento region has seen an increase in homeless children in recent years. In 2012-13, about 5 percent of public school students in the region were without permanent housing.

This year, the school has a particular need for clothes and undergarments for older children, grades three through eight. The school also is requesting donations of gift cards for Payless, Walmart and Target stores. “(People) donate the cute little Disney princess and Batman or Superman clothes, but we have a hard time getting supplies donated for the older kids,” Gross said.

Donations can be dropped off at Loaves & Fishes at North C and 13th streets, or mailed to Mustard Seed School, 1351 N. C St., Sacramento, CA 95811.

This story was originally published October 8, 2015 at 5:01 PM with the headline "Sacramento’s Mustard Seed School sees influx of children."