by Andrew Alonzo | aalonzo@claremont-courier.com

Sumner Danbury Elementary School students and staff welcomed Congresswoman Norma Torres last week to christen the school’s newest resource, the Kindness Den.

“It is a place where [students] can get what they need, when they need it, without questions asked,” said Sumner Danbury sixth grade teacher Jennifer Ballesteros, who, along with students from San Antonio High School, created the project. “At its heart, the Kindness Den was created with one simple goal in mind: making sure that every student has access to the things they need to feel supported, confident, and ready to learn.”

The pantry is stocked with free school supplies, food, personal hygiene products, clothing, and other essentials.

The project began in fall 2025. “Students started first, which is researching issues in the community that they felt like maybe they could contribute to a solution,” said SAHS teacher Melissa Gaw. “And then we heard what Jenny wanted to do here, and we thought, well, that’s actually perfect.”

Via the buddy program, the students learned Sumner Danbury kids needed a resource center similar to SAHS’s Lion’s Den. Over time, the efforts went from talk to action.

“They held meetings with stakeholders,” Gaw said. “They came here and surveyed all the elementary students, [asking questions] like, ‘What do you need? When do you want it? What kind of snacks do you want?’”

The students then pitched the idea to Claremont Sunrise Rotary, the organization that sponsors SAHS’s Lion’s Den, and the service club agreed to fund the Kindness Den for three years at $500 per month.

The San Antonio students wrapped up construction last month.

The project not only benefited Sumner Danbury students, but has also allowed 18 students to complete their California State Seal of Civic Engagement requirement. And while a seal acknowledging the students’ achievement will appear on graduating seniors’ diplomas in a few weeks — a first for SAHS students — the impact of the resource center will go on for years to come.

“Some kids, they don’t like asking for help, and they get it from some of the people that they look up to,” said Sumner Danbury alum, SAHS senior and project participant Andres Zamora Jr. “I think this place is really nice for them to ask for help, for food, hygiene, and all that stuff that they need.”

Torres greeted and took photos with students who participated in the project.

“I am deeply inspired by the students at San Antonio High School who turned empath into real, lasting impact,” Torres wrote in a statement. “These students saw a need, listened, and took action by building not just a ‘Kindness Den,’ but a lifeline of dignity and support for students at Sumner Elementary … The students organized, advocated and delivered for their community. They are proving that no matter their age, people have the power to change lives.”

(L-R) San Antiono High School seniors Jayden Bloss and Santiago Rios with U.S. Congresswoman Norma Torres during the May 8 opening of Sumner Danbury Elementary School’s Kindness Den. Courier photo/Andrew Alonz