Nisky Attic in Action

by Kristal Lin

From collecting timers for students to donating snow pants to members of our community, the Nisky Attic has provided a great deal of help for those in need.

Over the summer, school social worker, Jessica Brennan, and high school counselor, Nancy Bushee, created the Nisky Attic in hopes of connecting our community together to help each other. They receive requests from people in need and utilize social media to spread the word. These requests denoted as ‘missions’ call attention to what people need at the moment.

As winter progresses, the most recent mission calls for women’s large snow pants. If you can donate the items needed, you can drop a message via Facebook, @theniskyattic, to alert Ms. Brennan and Ms. Bushee which item can be donated. Remember to keep an eye out for new missions and items you are able to give!

The following is an interview with Nancy Bushee, one of the founders of the Nisky Attic, for a better understanding of what they do.

Kristal: What triggered the idea of The Nisky Attic?

Ms. Bushee: For a while, we have been trying to figure out how to provide items for students who have needs. Knowing that so many people in our community are generous and want to help, we needed to connect people who wanted to give with people who have needs. Unfortunately, we don't have storage space to collect and keep items for when they are needed. Over the summer, Jessica Brennan (elementary school Social Worker) and I were trying to come up with ideas and we decided to launch the Nisky Attic through Facebook.

Kristal: How do you plan on using The Nisky Attic to help during the Pandemic?

Ms. Bushee: We know that there are more students/families who have need due to the pandemic. We are hoping that we can provide support to these families by helping them access winter apparel, school supplies, home goods, or whatever need they may have. We also continue to provide nutritional support through the Nisky NOW program which delivers food to families who need it, especially when school is closed and students cannot access breakfast and lunch in their schools.

Kristal: What can students or the members of our community do to help?

Ms. Bushee: Keep an eye on the Nisky Attic Facebook page! We post needs as they come up, and we have been able to meet every need requested so far. Like, follow, and share our page! If you are able to donate a requested item, simply message the Nisky Attic on the Facebook page and you will receive directions as to where to drop off the item. Currently, we have drop-off locations in each school building.

Kristal: What are some items that we can donate?

Ms. Bushee: We do not have storage space, so we do not accept donations unless the items are specifically requested. Most of the requests so far have been for winter coats, boots, and snow pants; however, we post needs as they come in and we expect that new items will continue to be requested.

Kristal: What are your future plans?

​Ms. Bushee: Our plan is to continue our partnership with the Town of Niskayuna, and hopefully add additional Nisky Attic drop-off locations to make it easier for community members to drop off their donated items. We believe there are many families that have needs that can be met through the Nisky Attic, and we encourage people who have needs to reach out to their school counselor or social worker so that we can help.