MERRIMACK- Roughly two dozen students and their families are considered homeless, sleeping in cars or moving from one friend’s home to another, just trying to get by for another day.

This is nothing unusual for the Merrimack School District, as, unfortunately, according to Superintendent Marge Chiafery, there are 22 to 26 homeless students each year.

However, thanks to an anonymous donor’s gift of $10,000, the burden for 22 families will be a little bit lighter this year.

Chiafery said during the summer, the donor asked her what kind of services and assistance these students might need, and how much she thought it would cost.

Officials determined that for the 10 elementary school, two middle school and 10 high school students in need, a clothing allowance of $200, $275 and $375, respectively, for each would be appropriate. They would also figure in gasoline cards for students who have after school jobs, and grocery cards to help supplement the students’ free lunches with snacks.

Officials also went to local hotels to determine how much a nightly rate would be and set aside some money in case they needed to temporarily put a family in a hotel. School social worker and homeless liaison Jodi Hanley will work with the families to get what they need and make sure receipts are provided.

The total was slightly more than $9,000 Chiafery said, so the donor decided to offer an even $10,000.

Andy Schneider, board member, said the donation was “incredible” and member Cinda Guagliumi said it gave her “goosebumps.”

Board member Naomi Schoenfeld added that it was “incredibly thoughtful” of the donor to consider the needs of the whole child, rather than just offering to pay for a certain number of lunches, although that was generous too.

This was also good, board Chair Shannon Barnes said, because it would allow the district and the community to have an open, honest conversation about homelessness as a problem that exists within Merrimack.

“Thank you on many levels,” she said in reference to the donor.

Hannah LaClaire can be reached at 594-1243 or hlaclaire@nashuatelegraph.com.