In celebration of the William G. and Marie Selby Foundation’s 70th Anniversary, the R-Store at Riverview High School is one of seven organizations selected to receive a $5,000 grant in honor of a Selby Scholar. This special award is made possible by Michael Barry who wrote the essay below about the impact of R-Store to his life.
R-Store is a free resource center at Riverview High School in Sarasota, Florida.
Currently, the center provides men’s and women’s clothes (both casual and dress), easy to prepare food, snacks, personal hygiene products, school supplies, and specially requested items. By giving students access to these resources, they are able to thrive rather than fall victim to financial inequality. My involvement has taught me how deeply connected small, everyday needs are to a student’s confidence, attendance, and academic focus. I have learned to notice details I might have overlooked before—a classmate quietly skipping lunch or wearing the same sweatshirt every day—and to respond with empathy and discretion. The experience has expanded my emotional intelligence, made me a better listener, and helped me see the quiet struggles that many people feel the need to hide.
It is also entirely run by students for students. This allows for a greater impact on the student population than other resources available. By having students that go to RHS volunteer at RHS, they gain a stronger sense of community and can see their actions having a direct effect on those around them. For me, working side-by-side with other students has given me a network of peers who share the same drive to make a difference, which has strengthened my own motivation and sense of purpose. Through my personal work at R-Store, I realized the difference simple things, such as a calculator for math, can make in a person’s life. Witnessing this has reinforced my belief that generosity doesn’t have to be grand to be meaningful. This is something I will never forget and believe will have a long-lasting impact on my view of the world.
As of now, R-Store is operating solely based off donations. Volunteers such as I have grown because of this. We have run food drives, contacted local businesses, asked family and friends, and so much more in an attempt to gain donations to best serve R-Store. Each of these efforts has pushed me out of my comfort zone and taught me real-world skills like communication, negotiation, and networking. It has also built confidence that I can advocate for a cause and rally support even in unfamiliar situations. Every item in the center is earned, giving a sense of pride to the volunteers.
R-Store has also shown me that small acts of care can grow into lasting change when students are trusted to lead. It took a lot of convincing to be allowed to operate an important resource with minimal bureaucracy in an effort to efficiently and effectively meet the needs of the students. That process taught me patience, persistence, and the value of clear, respectful communication—lessons that will serve me far beyond high school.