Students ranging in age from elementary school to high school spent two weeks collecting food and non-perishable items for the Lebanon Food Pantry, a tradition of Lebanon City Schools for many years.
The words are proudly displayed in their school logo; “Building Community.” And that’s just what Lebanon City Schools in Lebanon, Ohio recently accomplished by collecting and donating 5,140 pounds of food and personal items to the Lebanon Food Pantry.
Lebanon City Schools
On Friday, February 23, Lebanon City Schools located in Lebanon, Ohio wrapped up their annual food drive for the local food pantry. Students ranging in age from elementary school to high school spent two weeks collecting food and non-perishable items for the Lebanon Food Pantry, a tradition of Lebanon City Schools for many years. Ashley W., now a junior at Lebanon High School and a member of the Captain’s Council, has been donating food since the first grade. As one of the leaders of the food drive, she wanted to give back to everyone and not just people she knows on a personal basis.
Ashley reminded us, “If we can each give one or two cans it helps tremendously throughout the community.”
Bill Stewart, Athletic Director, is one of the administrators involved with organizing the food drive. He helped coordinate the various student groups including the Captains Council, Student Council, National Honor Society, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes, to take leadership roles in this district-wide initiative.
So why not donate around the holidays like so many other organizations? Mr. Stewart explains,
“There are a lot of donations around Christmas and Thanksgiving and then things seem to die down after that. I think we were able to fill a nice void for them [Lebanon Food Pantry].”
His message to all students – answer the call to service!
Lebanon, Ohio Food Pantry
For the entire food drive, students packed donations into an empty trailer parked outside the high school. On delivery day, the remaining donations were packed up and the trailer and caravan of volunteers made their way to the Food Pantry. There, they enthusiastically unpacked and carried in the donations.
Tom Davidson, President of the Lebanon Food Pantry expressed his appreciation.
“When you look at the school system, because that’s the only people that we actually serve, about 42 percent of children in the Lebanon School District receive some type of supplemental aid, and we are part of that.”
On a heavy day at the pantry, 40 clients come through the doors. Open only 3 days a week, volunteers at the pantry are vital to its success. The pantry was formed by 13 original churches in the area and those churches are still a part of its operation.
The R+L Carriers Hometown Showcase is astounded by the work of the Lebanon City School students for helping to fill a need in the local community. We like to say the Hometown Showcase delivers opportunities, but this time students were the ones delivering opportunities to families in the community, and we’re here to cheer them on!
If you are interested in answering the call to serve at the Lebanon High School, talk to a school administrator or a student currently involved. To help the Lebanon Food Pantry, call (513) 932-3617 for more details.
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