Students excitedly gather snacks from Dixon High School’s Ram’s Vault. Photo Courtesy of Angela Brown

DIXON, CA (MPG) - Fulfilling basic needs at times can be difficult; food, water, clothing, sleep and shelter are the bare necessities for survival. Yet, some lack or are deprived of these needs for one reason or another.

Maine Prairie High School, 200 N. Lincoln St., and Dixon High School, 555 College Way, hope to alleviate that strain.

“When I worked for Fairfield High School, I identified several issues in the student and staff population,” said Dixon High School Principal Angela Brown. “At that moment, I decided to research opportunities to meet the needs of the school population. Every second since that moment, I stay alert to the needs of others and when I see the need, I jump into action.”

Brown conceptualized the idea of a communal clothes and food pantry with community members, including Corrine Boicelli, whose mission and vision for supporting Dixon High School and the wider Dixon population perfectly aligned with her own. Amber Drewnowski, the Dixon High School cheerleading coach, approached Brown with the name Ram’s Vault, and the rest took shape from there.

“It is a perfect name because a vault is used to keep everyone’s most valuable assets safe, and the students are Dixon High School’s most valuable assets,” Brown said.

Maine Prairie High School also has a vault; the Maine Prairie Vault, established around 2022, is a clothes closet and food pantry with a similar mission to the Ram’s Vault: uplifting students, staff and Dixon as a whole. 

Angelina Arias, the Maine Prairie High School principal, finishes preparations for the school’s annual Thanksgiving feast, allowing students to participate in the holiday, regardless of financial or familial issues. Photo by Kendall Brown

“We work very closely with the Rotary Club of Dixon and the Chamber of Commerce,” said Maine Prairie High School Principal Angelina Arias. “They are so supportive of our students; they donate backpacks, toiletries and clothing items. They have been very generous.”

Maine Prairie’s Vault is also supported by an organization called End 68 Hours of Hunger, which refers to the weekend, when many students might not have access to food at home. End 68 has supplied Maine Prairie for four years, providing 40 to 50 bags of nonperishable food to give to identified families and students in need. Food is dropped off at the school site on Fridays to be distributed. Maine Prairie High School also holds an annual Thanksgiving Feast before the students go on break to make sure everyone gets to take part in the holiday, regardless of financial or familial issues.

The Ram’s Vault and the Maine Prairie Vault both have been successful in their endeavors thus far, with daily drop-offs of clothing and food; Brown emphasizes the significance of these resources, as they are crucial for meeting students’ basic needs, promoting their academic success, supporting their emotional well-being, fostering equity and encouraging community involvement.

Arias agreed, implying both schools are addressing the community’s needs.

“These resources help create a supportive and inclusive school environment for all students,” Brown said.

Both vaults allow for daily donations, either during work hours or after hours. For more information, contact Dixon High School at 707-693-6330 or Maine Prairie High School at 707-693-6340.