When Linda Ho opened the Net Shed at Astoria High School, she had modest expectations.

My original expectations were to be able to help kids that needed things and take pressure off of parents, she said.

Little did Ho know that the net shed would gain such support from AHS?students and Astoria community members, spawning a committee of support numbering 31 students by years end and bringing in countless donations.

The Net Shed handed out 3,173 items this year for free to needy high school students. Ho estimates that a quarter of the student body used the free clothing boutique, located in a former storage area near the cafeteria.

The clothing “boutique,” as Ho calls it, runs on the honor system. If a student needs something, they pick it out. There’s anything from pants, jackets and dresses and hats to shoes, bath towels, jewelry and hygiene products.

Ho said the Net Shed also provided prom outfits for at least 25 students. An anonymous donor brought in four boxes filled with Astoria Fisherman sweatshirts with the Stomper logo embroidered on them.

They are all coming from our community, said Ho about the clothing, shoes, toiletries and accessories. Theyre coming from the parents; theyre coming from the kids; theyre coming from the teachers.

Theyre also coming from the businesses. Salon Boheme donated 113 pairs of new and gently used shoes from its customers.

When I cut Lindas hair, she was telling us about it, said Kallie Linder, owner of the salon.

We are always willing to help out where we can in our community, she said, so we asked our clients to bring in their shoes.

Linder raffled off a spa package, with a used pair of shoes getting one ticket and a new pair getting five. By the end, Linder had collected 20 pairs of shoes and nearly 100 other used pairs.

I think its a confidence boost, especially right now, said Linder about the Net Shed. Appearances, unfortunately, seem to be super important.

The college also held a clothing drive, which Ho said brought in a large number of donations.

She added that the collection bins at the high school keep filling up, even since school got out. AHS?started a committee fundraising, collecting clothes and otherwise supporting the Net Shed it grew to 31 members this year.

Im always trying to improve the efficiency of it, said Ho.

If its possible, wed like to get a larger area inside the high school.

Ho previously said shed like to expand the concept to other local high schools.

The Net Shed takes donations throughout the summer in the athletics hallway next to the gym and on the third floor of the district office at 785 Alameda Ave. Ho said boys clothing and toiletries are whats most needed.

Email thenetshedahs@gmail.com, call (503) 325-3911 or visit the Net Shed’s Facebook page for more information.