Saturday, November 23rd, 2019
Celina High kids launch food pantry for other students
By Tom Stankard
Photo by Dan Melograna/The Daily Standard
Celina High School sophomores Jillian Finn and Madelaine Eblen pose in the school bookstore on Friday with 2,974 items donated by students. The winter gear, hygiene products and canned foods were collected in a first-period competition. The winning class received breakfast from Bob Evans.
CELINA - Celina High School student council members have launched a confidential school-based food pantry for students in need.
The Caring Closet provides students with basic needs essential to academic success, sophomore student council members Madelaine Eblen and Jillian Finn said.
Students in sixth grade and younger who are in need can take home food on Fridays so they don't go hungry during the weekend. No such program exists for middle- and high-school students though, student council director Kristen Kerns pointed out.
They said they see middle- and high-school students come to school and leave hungry and cold in the afternoon and wanted to do something to help them.
If students need items from the closet, Finn said they can just let a guidance counselor know and then they can grab whatever they need.
To get the project going, the student council organized a challenge for students to donate items for a chance to win a free breakfast. Kerns said the students really stepped up and donated 2,974 items.
Student council is asking the community to support the closet, Finn said. They have been stocking the closet with granola bars, peanut butter and jelly, hearty soups, juice, Pop Tarts, applesauce and canned fruit, vegetables and meat.
As the weather gets colder, council members also are asking people to donate new hats, gloves and scarves to help students stay warm. People are also encouraged to donate umbrellas and hygiene products.
"Having access to food and other items will help students concentrate in school and not have to worry about being hungry and fitting in," superintendent Ken Schmiesing said.
Donations can be dropped off at the high school office near the front entrance or given to a student council member. Members hope to make the closet last all school year and beyond, Kerns said.
As a teacher and Celina resident, Alicia Ball said this is a great example of how "we like to take care of our own and it starts from the ground up.
"These students realize there are others less fortunate, and they know how to fix it," she added.
