Husky Support Center

The Ritenour Co-Care Food Pantry is a non-profit organization that is run separately from the Ritenour School District. The pantry is committed to providing relief from food insecurity in a respectful and dignified manner to anyone living within the Ritenour School District.

Ritenour Co-Care started in 1980 and has grown to be the second-largest food pantry in the St. Louis area.  Staffed by mostly volunteers, the pantry is now serving more families than ever before.  On average, the pantry serves more than 150 families per day and provides food to more than 1,500 families per month. For more information, visit www.rccfoodpantry.org.   

The Ritenour Husky Health Center originally opened in January 2019 in the north wing of Hoech Middle School but relocated during the 2024-2025 school year to the Husky Support Center, where it has additional space and a centralized location in the district. The clinic is free for all Ritenour students in grades PreK-12. Transportation is provided by the district for students between schools and the health center during school hours to minimize classroom disruption.  

The Husky Health Center allows students to access health services – including pediatric medical care and behavioral health services – during school hours. Services include chronic disease management for asthma, immunizations, physicals and referrals for other medical services at the center. CareSTL Health staff who see patients are licensed professionals.  Ritenour’s Husky Health Center is a partnership between Ritenour and CareSTL Health. All medical staff are provided and paid for through CareSTL Health. 

A satellite office for the University of Missouri-St. Louis (UMSL) College of Optometry is located at the Husky Support Center. This partnership brings affordable and accessible vision care to Ritenour students, ensuring that clear sight is never a barrier to learning.

UMSL optometrists provide low-cost or no-cost comprehensive eye exams and vision care for students referred by school nurses. The optometry center operates by appointment only on Thursday mornings for Ritenour students who are referred to the center by their school nurse.

In the spring of 2024, Ritenour launched a donation center for district families at the Husky Support Center. Ritenour families can receive items like coats, gloves, hats, jackets, and blankets at no cost. Families can visit the donation center by appointment during school hours.  To make an appointment, contact a Ritenour social worker or school office.  

The Husky Support Center is also home to the Ritenour School District Transportation Department and the Information Technology Department. 

In addition to housing these departments, the Husky Support Center serves as a centralized storage hub for district supplies and equipment, ensuring that essential resources are organized and accessible for schools and staff.