WAYNESBURG – Students won’t go hungry at Intermediate Unit 1 campus if educators there can help it.
The school has established a food pantry for families with food insecurity. Principal and supervisor of special education Kristin Szewczyk said the basis of their idea comes from West Greene School District’s food pantry, established by food service director Jim Elsenheimer.
“It was extremely helpful in getting the logistic help set up,” said paraprofessional Lorraine Rush.
The food pantry at Intermediate Unit 1 in Waynesburg helps provide produce, nonperishable foods and toiletries to families in need through a referral system.
The pantry relies on community donations, which have been managed and solicited by Rush.
“It’s a very small pantry,” she said, but the kindness of the community keeps it stocked.
It may be small, but it suits their needs.
Families can receive nonperishable food and toiletries from the pantry about once a month, but Szewczyk said they wouldn’t turn anyone away if there’s a greater need. They’ll also work with guardians’ schedules, too, if they need to pick up from the pantry after school.
Referrals are funneled through the school’s social workers, so that information remains confidential. Referrals come from staff members, but parents interested in receiving food from the pantry can reach out to the school themselves.
Eligibility is not just based on income. It can be used one time, like if a parent loses a job, or on a continual basis.
Szewczyk said that on Friday, about five students out of the school’s 70 were signed up for a variety of reasons.
“We serve a very needy student population here, from an educational standpoint as well as a socioeconomic standpoint,” Szewczyk said.
Students at the campus have mental health or intellectual needs that require special education.
Nancy Mitchell first came to Szewczyk with the idea of establishing a food pantry to honor her late friend, Tina VanKirk.
“I’ve seen that there’s a hunger need at school,” Mitchell said. “It was my idea, but (Rush) does all the work.”
She said helping to start the pantry is a way to both cope and celebrate VanKirk’s generosity.
Szewczyk said along with the pantry, some students have also been volunteering with monthly Produce to People distributions at the Greene County Fairgrounds. A product of the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, Szewczyk said working with the pantry teaches students to give back when they get something. The kids get to take home the fruits of their labor in the form of fresh produce.
To donate to the pantry or for more information, contact Szewczyk at the school at 724-627-4656. The school can take nonperishable items, toiletries or monetary donations.
