God’s Pantry Food Bank opens second school pantry at Leestown Middle School

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) – In partnership with the Fayette County Public Schools, God’s Pantry Food Bank opened the second School Pantry in Fayette County at Leestown Middle School as part of the School Pantry Program and the Food Bank’s Childhood Hunger Initiative. The Pantry opened last month and will serve all students in need, at the school. The goals of the School Pantry Program are to provide free food for students and their siblings, who might otherwise not have food in the evenings and/or over the weekend when they cannot eat at school. God’s Pantry Food Bank opened its first school pantry at Bryan Station High School in March 2015.

Marian Guinn, CEO of God’s Pantry Food Bank said, “Hunger is something that no child should have to experience, it affects growth and the ability to learn and have fun, among many other things.  By providing food to these students who are in need, the Food Bank and its partners in the fight against hunger, are providing a healthy foundation for children to learn and grow and succeed in life.”

The School Pantry Program is just one of the programs the Food Bank operates aimed at alleviating childhood hunger in its 50 county service area.  Other programs include the BackPack Program, Kids Cafe and After School Snack Programs.  The Pantry at Leestown Middle School will serve up to 25 students each week, each student will receive approximately 35lbs of food that includes nutritious items such as eggs, milk, bread, vegetables, protein items, fruits, and more.

The Food Bank will deliver food once a week and the Family Resource Center staff will be responsible for assisting students with collecting food from the Pantry during school hours.

Funds for the School Pantry were provided by grants from Feeding America and the Kellogg Company.