November 22, 2024 —Columbus City Schools (CCS) is actively preparing for Wellness Week by organizing food drives, winter coat collections, and other essential supply gatherings to support families during the upcoming break. These initiatives aim to ensure students can access necessary resources while schools are closed.
"Many of our kids depend on the school district for food," said Buckeye Middle School Counselor Promise Motley. “I have a big heart for food and food insecurity in this city."
At Buckeye Middle School and Champion Middle School, school co-counselors Motley and Olivia Stoneburner have spearheaded efforts to provide meals for families during Wellness Week. The staff and community partners, including Feed The Kids Columbus, have united to give away over 350 food bags for students to take home.
"My dream was that kids ate at least once a day during break, and we've exceeded that,” Motley said. “At my school last year, there was a family in a transient situation. There was a need and we sent the student home with enough non-perishable food for him and his family for the summer and he cried. For a kid to be that young and understand we really need food and the school is providing it for me makes what I do all the more worthwhile.”
Additionally, the schools have rallied to collect enough food to support approximately 35 to 40 families in need and provide them with an additional 14 meals for Wellness Week. Staff have volunteered time at both schools to assemble food bags and coordinate timely distribution.
Ohio Avenue Elementary School has also identified a need within its community. Through strong relationships with local organizations, the school has secured Thanksgiving dinner boxes for families. Contributions include 70 meal boxes from the Byron Saunders Foundation, 25 from St. Paul AME on Long Street, and 5 from Holy Ghost Revival Center. In addition to these generous donations, turkey donations are anticipated from Pastor McFadden and World Harvest Church this week and into next week for families.
"Community partnerships are pivotal to the work that we do on a daily basis," said Ohio Avenue Elementary School Principal Anthony Williams. "Through the relationships we built with families and students, we can see the gaps and help fill them. It takes all of us. It takes a village to raise a child and we believe that."
Clinton Elementary School, recently recognized as a five-star school on the Ohio Report Card, noticed a need in its building and is addressing food insecurities. Partnering with the Clintonville Resource Center, North Broadway United Methodist Church, and staff members, the school has been collecting food items to distribute to over 20 families in need. The school acknowledges that humanitarian challenges can affect any community, regardless of zip code.
It’s important to recognize that homelessness and food insecurity do not always align with common stereotypes. Indicators such as frequent absences, distress over missing meals, or incomplete homework may signal challenges at home. Awareness of these signs enables timely support for students facing hardships so that our students can continue to thrive and eventually move into the next phase of their lives stronger.
"I am a product of Columbus City schools as a homeless youth," said Project Connect Advocate Teretha Lusear. "I've been through it, and I tell my high and middle schoolers I was you. Look at where I am now. I went to college, got a degree, and am doing things, so just because you're in a situation doesn't mean it will be forever, especially if you have support from your school that is there to help you."
With the help of Community Partners and staff, CCS is committed to providing the resources necessary for student success, regardless of external circumstances. We encourage you to reach out to a staff member if you are experiencing any food insecurity or homelessness. We are here to help.
The following are community organizations that offer support for those experiencing difficulties and are here to help.
The Children's Hunger Alliance offers a range of impactful programs to combat childhood hunger in Ohio. These include after-school and summer meal programs that provide nutritious meals to children in need.
Website: https://childrenshungeralliance.org/programs/
The Mid-Ohio Food Collective operates a network of food pantries and distribution sites across the city. Through its programs, families can access fresh produce, protein, and pantry staples.
Website: https://mofc.org/
Phone: (614) 782-5503
CAP4Kids (Children's Advocacy Project for Kids) is a valuable resource in Columbus. It offers a comprehensive directory of services and programs available for children and families. From healthcare and mental health services to education and community resources, CAP4Kids provides easily accessible information to help families navigate the often complex landscape of social services.
General Help Website: https://cap4kids.org/columbus/food/
Holiday Meals Website: https://cap4kids.org/columbus/holiday-help-november/
The Byron Saunders Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing Thanksgiving meals to families in need across Central Ohio. The foundation ensures that families can enjoy a complete Thanksgiving dinner by distributing meal boxes that include traditional holiday items and a gift card for a turkey or preferred protein. Their efforts help alleviate food insecurity during the holiday season, fostering a sense of community and support among recipients.
Website: https://www.thebyronsaundersfoundation.org/
Phone: (614) 554-0816
Franklinton.org operates as a community resource hub for families and is powered by the Franklinton Development Association (FDA) with support from CelebrateOne. The goal is to inform, involve, and connect community members to aid and resources in Franklinton. The organization has compiled a list of resources available to Franklinton area residents.
Website: https://franklinton.org/resources/food/
Thanks to the relationships built in our schools, these resources are available in addition to those provided by our dedicated teachers, counselors, administrators, and other support staff. Resources throughout CCS, the City of Columbus, and local nonprofits are here to support students and families in need, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive both inside and outside the classroom.
If you or someone you know is a Columbus City Schools student or family facing homelessness, please review our Project Connect Program to see how they can help.
