Norwich ― On any given day, one Norwich Free Academy student might forget his gym clothes. Another spilled juice on her jeans, and yet another just remembered it’s mom’s birthday today.

In all these scenarios, the Wildcat Loft has them covered at no charge. And each Friday afternoon, 50 NFA students stop in at the Wildcat Loft to pick up a bag of groceries to bring home for the weekend.

The loft is a free general store in a brick-lined corner of the basement in the Tirrell Building adjacent to the cafeteria. Stocked with donated dress or casual clothing, coats, gloves, hats, shoes, school supplies, personal hygiene items, even jewelry and greeting cards, the loft is open two hours a day during school lunch and by appointment in response to students’ immediate needs, such as ripped or soiled clothing.

Aaleyna Chicote, 17 and in the 11th grade, of Norwich, said the food she takes home each Friday helps carry her and her mother through the week. Her mother works long hours, and sometimes doesn’t have time to shop, Chicote said. They struggle to fill the cupboards.

Chicote said her financial situation “doesn’t make me feel good,” but when she goes to the loft and sees 50 grocery bags just like the one she will take home those feelings ease.

“When I come down here, knowing I have support and a community and a place to rely on, it feels good. I am not alone,” she said. “I see all these 50 bags. I’m not alone.”

Chicote said her favorite part of the loft is the winter section. She picked up a nice winter jacket in the store. She has gotten birthday cards for friends and her mother.

“One time, I got apple juice spilled all over my jeans, and I got the cutest pair of low-rise jeans here. They were the cutest!” she said.

The store has grown and evolved quietly over the past decade but on Friday afternoon, it took center stage.

State Rep. Derell Wilson, D-Norwich, and city Alderwoman Shiela Hayes were on hand so Wilson could present a $60,000 state youth services grant to NFA to support the loft’s food pantry and two other NFA programs, the College and Career Center and the Diversity Department’s supports for college-bound students.

“Seeing the evolution of where NFA is going is important,” Wilson said. “One of the things important to me in becoming a state representative was, ‘How do you give back? How do you get individuals younger than you, older than you, the same age as you the opportunity to do more?’ ”

Securing the state grant for NFA answered part of that question, Wilson said. The bulk of the grant, $35,000, will support the food pantry.

Shirley Kutia, manager of the Wildcat Loft, was ready with a demonstration to show how much the grant will help. She pulled a quart of milk and a pack of six eggs out of one of the decorative reusable grocery bags that go home with students. But now, she said, thanks to the additional funding, she put in a half gallon of milk and a full dozen eggs.

“It’s so true,” she said of the direct benefit of the grant.

Kutia said NFA shops at the United Way Gemma E. Moran United Way/Labor Food Center in New London and at local grocery stores in Norwich, ordering food online to be delivered to NFA. Different departments at NFA host food drives, and businesses in the community run collection drives for food or school supplies and bring them to the loft.

Students in the Project Outreach student service club and in the Pace special education program volunteer to sort and stock the loft shelves and food pantry.

Collins & Jewell Co., headed by NFA Board of Trustees Vice President Chris Jewell, holds a drive each year at Christmas and delivers three truckloads of food and hygiene products. Teachers and staff donate jewelry, personal items and clothes.

“The kids, they love shopping for stuff like that,” Kutia said. “They stand in front of it for the longest time.”

c.bessette@theday.com