(by Don Meador)
Students across the Allen County School District and families from the community now have a place to go on the Allen County School District campus to get food items when going through difficult times. Wednesday, November 1, the Allen County Schools Food Pantry officially opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the pantry’s location behind Patriot Academy.
“I’m truly excited about the possibilities this partnership with Feeding America Kentucky’s Heartland holds for our community,” noted Allen County School Superintendent Travis Hamby. “It is a beacon of hope and a symbol of our collective commitment to addressing food insecurities in our county. In Allen County, we are not blind to the harsh realities of our neighbor’s struggles. More than 2,600 individuals in our community are food insecure. That means that one in eight people are struggling to access sufficient food. This is not a statistic. These are our friends and neighbors and our children. The childhood hunger crisis is heartbreaking with over 700 children in Allen County---one in seven---experiencing food insecurity.”
Hamby added that the on-campus food pantry gives students and parents a centralized location to turn to when facing a need for food. The superintendent also notes that the pantry will be a benefit that helps students in the classroom and the Allen County community as a whole.
“We are deeply aware of the impact that food insecurity has on a child’s ability to learn and succeed in school,” Hamby said. “Today, we stand here as an example of what we can achieve when we come together as a community. Feeding Kentucky and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicaid have partnered with us for this pantry’s aim to tackle rural food insecurity and eliminate barriers to adequate food by positioning resources in a location that children and families have easy access to. Every dollar invested by Feeding America Kentucky’s Heartland and programs like this provides eight meals to our neighbors facing hunger. The math is simple but the difference it makes is immeasurable. The school pantry now only addresses immediate hunger but also contributes to the overall resilience of our communities. By tackling food insecurity, we are investing in healthier and more prosperous communities paving the way for a brighter future. Today as we cut the ribbon and open the doors of the Allen County Schools Food Pantry, let us celebrate this achievement but remember the work ahead. It’s a journey that requires us to continue to come together as a community to assure that no child, no family, goes to bed hungry.”
Wednesday’s ceremony capped months of discussion between District administration, the District’s Family Resource and Youth Service Centers (FRYSC), and officials with Feeding America Kentucky’s Heartland. Planning has also included the work to transform space at the old JROTC building at AC-SH into the location of the pantry.
Jamie Sizemore, the Executive Director of Feeding America Kentucky Heartland, noted that food insecurity in the United States is an ongoing concern, driven home by a recent report.
“Some staggering statists from the United States Department of Agriculture came out last week, “Sizemore noted. “In 2022, one of five children in the US live in food insecure households. That’s a 40% increase from 2021, in one year. That is the largest one-year increase since the recession of 2008. Nationwide, one of seven people are experiencing food insecurity. These numbers are the reason this pantry is even more important. We knew those numbers were large but it was staggering and sobering to see those large increases in one year’s time.”
Sizemore went on to say that, Wednesday’s ribbon cutting signaled the coming together of the local community to
address the compelling issue at hand.
“Eliminating barriers is the most important thing we need to work on,” Sizemore said. “That’s how this all came about. We came down in January and held a meeting (with city/county/community officials) and we talked about how there was not enough food coming into Allen County to meet the needs of those who were food insecure. We asked what we could do to meet the need. That one meeting led to a couple of partners coming on board. We are now serving our Hispanic neighbors facing hunger in this county and we are cutting the ribbon on this school pantry.”
The collaborative effort between Feeding America Kentucky Heartland, city and county officials, and the Allen County School District moved forward. Along with FRYSC officials---who address the hunger needs of students through the School Backpack Program---planning for a school-based food pantry progressed. Working as part of a pilot program of school pantries, the result is now open in Allen County.
The on-campus pantry fulfills the goal of positioning resources in a location that is easily accessible.
“In other words, we want to meet people where they are most,” Sizemore stressed. “The kids are here the most. The Family Resource coordinators know the kids. These know the families. They know how to get them help. I cannot think of a better partner in any community than the school system.”
Sizemore noted that last year, “Feeding America Kentucky Heartland distributed over 249,000 pounds of food that equated to 207,000 meals, a value of a $308.000 investment.” However, work remains.
“That sounds like a lot but it’s not enough,” Sizemore said.
Working together on the project is Feeding Kentucky Executive Director Melissa McDonald, who emphasizes that less hungry students help improve health and enhance learning.
“We know that when kids have access to healthy meals every day they feel better, they do better, and fewer behavior problems, added McDonald. “They can grow and just be kids. We know that when we can have a school pantry like this on our own campus, we know the children will have a better opportunity to thrive.”
Also collaborating on the project is Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicaid. The insurance company believes their support will help build a program that will improve overall health and wellness. Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicaid president Leon Lamoreaux acknowledged his support stems from his experience.
“I came from one of these environments,” Lamoreaux said. “I know what WIC cheese takes like. I have had powered milk. I understand. There were times when all my family had was canned peaches, strawberries, preserves, and homemade bread. There was not much for us. It gives my heart great joy to be able to partner with Feeding America Kentucky’s Heartland, Feeding Kentucky, and the Allen County School District. Together we can do more.”
The food pantry’s operation on campus will be under the guidance of the Allen County Family Resources and Youth Service Center. Students, parents/guardians, grandparents, and even school staff and community members in need of food can seek out a FRYSC coordinator or assistant at any school. The Food Pantry also has a direct line to call (270-618-8202) for more information or to schedule a time to visit the pantry.