A long time afterwards, when it was time to go to bed, Miss Rottenmeier cautiously opened the door.

The codes—which typically range in price from $80 to $155 per course—give students online access to systems developed by education companies like McGraw Hill and Pearson.

With the help of Gomez's father, they built the Blessing Box—a street pantry, with shelves and hanging baskets and two doors made from old furniture.