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WORCESTER, Mass. - For nearly 10 years, Andy's Attic, a local nonprofit run by high school students, has helped families fill their closets with warm and comfortable clothes, and there's still a great need for donations. 

Each year, Andy's Attic at South High Community School fills over 2,000 bags of clothing for students and families throughout Worcester County. Student volunteers began accepting donations for the 2022-23 school year on September 12, and they're in need of men's and women's shoes and winter coats among other items. 

"We do need shoes, we need winter coats, boy's clothes, men's clothes, we do need female shoes too and female coats," said Nevaeh Godrich, a student volunteer. "We do get donations from kids that come here, teachers that come here, staff."

Each school year brings a mix of returning student volunteers and new faces, but the driving factor in all of it is the sense of community it creates. 

"It brings everyone together," said volunteer Jasper Fritz. "It's a great atmosphere to be in."

"It's this amazing, successful nonprofit that gets clothes every single day and donates them all across the state," said Luca Frost, another volunteer. "I really wanted to be a part of that because not many students at their high school have that opportunity."

Students learn to build the store, work the store, send out donations and even help write grant proposals. They can also help out during school hours as part of a marketing class offered at South High. 

"You get to work with the same people every day, so you develop a dynamic in the class," said volunteer Quinton Gibbons. "You become more efficient, more productive, and you get to make some friends too."

"I think everybody should take this class," said Lord Agyakwo, a student in the marketing class. "I find joy in doing it, and helping people in general."

The students' work helps to carry on the legacy of the store's namesake Andrew Reese. The Shrewsbury teen passed away in December 2010 following a tragic car accident. His parents created Andy's Attic in remembrance of his will to help the community, and that mission lives on. 

"Kids who might not have been able to help or might not have the time can do it because they're already in school," said volunteer Jordan Dennett. 

"It gives you every opportunity to help people," said Harrison Dennett, another volunteer.

If you want to help out, you can leave clothes in the new Andy's Attic drop-off bin, or send a monetary donation. More information on how to do both can be found on the Andy's Attic website.