The Putnam Education Partnership expanding food assistance to every middle and high school in Putnam County through new food pantries.
PEP Backpack Program Coordinator Grace Johnson said the foundation identified a sharp decline in participation once students leave elementary school, despite an ongoing need for food assistance. The foundation’s board agreed to invest in pantries that give students more flexibility in accessing food.
“Now that I have a fifth grader, I’m kind of waking up to the stigma that those older kids, the big kids, are facing, and it’s super heartbreaking,” Johnson said. “So, it’s a privilege to be able to love the big kids with food.”
The pantries allow students to visit school counselors and select food they will use, including granola bars and microwaveable meals. Upperman High School has already incorporated a shopping cart into its pantry operations.
“The need is still there,” Director Corby King said. “There’s just a social stigma around taking that bag. The food pantries have been amazing because they’ll go to the counselors, they’ll go and shop themselves and pick things that they’ll eat, things that they we know they’ll use.”
Johnson said 824 students currently participate in PEP’s weekend Backpack Program, with foundation data indicating approximately one in five elementary students experiences food insecurity.
The foundation has also partnered with Food Lion and Food Lion Feeds to establish the Owl’s Nest Resource Center at the Early Learning Academy. The center will provide food and clothing for families, with Food Lion committing ongoing support.
“Food Lion and Food Lion Feeds donated over 13 and a half thousand dollars to support PEP feeding programs, including fully stocking the pantry with Thrifty Bites recipe ingredients from our Thrifty Bites cookbook,” Johnson said. “They’re also providing 100 Thanksgiving food bags for the Early Learning Academy families.”
Johnson said PEP spent $13,658 from its Student Needs Fund assisting families experiencing financial crises, an increase of $2,600 over the previous year. She identified rising housing expenses as a major contributor to the increased demand.
The Owl’s Nest Resource Center will celebrate its grand opening November 17 at 10am at the Early Learning Academy.
In other business, the board approved the final reading of changes to its nonresident student attendance policy, with the changes scheduled to take effect January 1. The measure passed despite opposition from a Board Member Kim Cravens who argued that tuition requirements should apply fairly to all out-of-county students, including those from Wilson and DeKalb Counties.
The board also recognized the Upperman Middle School volleyball team for finishing as state runner-up with a 36-1 record. The team captured district regular-season, district tournament and regional championships. Upperman High School’s volleyball team also earned district and regional titles before reaching the state quarterfinals.
Board members also received an update on the Early Learning Academy renovation. Project representatives reported that fire alarm upgrades have been completed, with final documentation still awaiting state review following the addition of three devices requested by the State Fire Marshal.