AEP Ohio Grant helps fill Indian Creek school pantries

WINTERSVILLE -- A $2,000 grant from the AEP Ohio Foundation will help stock pantries at Indian Creek schools and provide students with food, clothing and hygiene supplies.

District Treasurer/CFO Adam Lewis applied for the grant after company officials presented the opportunity. Applicants could seek up to $2,000, and school leaders learned of the award in late August.

The four buildings -- Indian Creek High School, Indian Creek Middle School, Hills Elementary School and Cross Creek Elementary School -- each will receive $500 to provide necessities for students.

"The grants required something to help students with their learning and keep them on track, so by providing them food, sanitary supplies, and clothing, it helps kids focus on their education," he added. "It fills the gaps."

Lewis said the funding should be appropriated following approval at the September school board meeting, after which the school buildings can stock up on necessities.

"Each of the pantries supplies age-appropriate items, so what’s in the pantry at the high school is different from the elementary. There are snacks, personal care items such as deodorant and female sanitary supplies, and clothing with socks and shoes."

He said there is a significant need for the items and the pantries also have benefited from a grant through the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation, as well as principals' funds and public contributions. The Indian Creek Foundation also has provided support and most recently gave proceeds from its annual Christmas concert to the cause.

Lewis said the AEP Ohio grant will make a significant difference.

"This generous contribution will directly assist students and families in our community who face food insecurity," he said. "The pantry plays a vital role in ensuring that our children have access to basic necessities so they can focus on learning and thriving in school. This support strengthens that work and reflects a shared commitment to the well-being of the young people we serve."

Indian Creek High School Principal Louie Retton was grateful for his school's allocation and said it will impact the lives of students. His school's pantry has operated for nine years and includes personal care items such as deodorant, soap, shampoo and toothpaste, as well as snacks including crackers, protein bars, fruit cups and microwaveable macaroni and cheese.

Retton said the grant will help keep the shelves filled and students fed so they can concentrate on their education.

"Getting this donation tells us the community is aware of the pantry and is willing to help. They realize it's for a great cause and there is a huge need for these items in the school. We also believe they care about our students," he commented. "The pantry has provided hundreds of students with the basic necessities that many people take for granted. Students regularly ask if they can take items home to younger siblings or other family members and we always say yes. We also believe that if a student is hungry during the day and worrying about food, it will make learning much more difficult. This allows us to focus on what truly matters for the students and the need is extremely high for all of these items. We have run the pantry on private donations and could not be more thankful to AEP and all who have donated to our pantry."

Indian Creek Middle School Principal Keith Swearingen added that his school's pantry has operated for the past five years. It includes items students can eat on the go, such as protein bars, crackers with cheese or peanut butter and applesauce pouches, as well as foods they can take home, including soup and Ramen noodles.

Swearingen said the grant will help ensure students have the sustenance they need to learn and grow.

"I am very grateful to be receiving $500 for our pantry that I know my students will appreciate having access to. The pantry benefits all students, especially those who live in generational poverty which is about 70 percent of our student population, as well as athletes after school before practices," he said. "Life is hard enough for many of our students and the food pantry takes some of that worry and hardship away. The students having a snack so that they are not hungry during the day while they are trying to learn is a great resource for them. They can also take some food home to supplement their diet or provide extra food for their siblings or other family members, which is good for them and our community."

Cross Creek Elementary Principal Dan Hartman echoed those sentiments, saying his school tries to feed more than 60 students each year.

"We have done the pantry at CCE for the last four years," Hartman added. "We try to provide a breakfast, lunch, and dinner option for each child for the weekend and holiday breaks. This money is a blessing for our students and the need is significant."

Hills Elementary Principal Erin Alloggia said her building's pantry has operated for the past decade and provides clothing items for boys and girls, shoes, toiletries, nonperishable food items and school supplies.

"We feel grateful, proud, and excited knowing our school is receiving a $500 grant for our food pantry. It is amazing to know that this funding will help provide food and support to students and families in our school community who need it," Alloggia noted. "The pantry has greatly benefited our students by providing essential items and resources throughout the school year. Through the pantry, students have received winter coats, new shoes, weekend food bags to take home, and holiday meals. In addition, the pantry provides access to everyday necessities that students may forget, run out of, or need during the school day. These resources help ensure that our students feel supported, cared for, and prepared to learn. We are so thankful for AEP's generosity in helping support our community."

Meanwhile, AEP Ohio Foundation officials said they were happy to help.

"We have become increasingly aware of just how many students and families are facing food insecurity across Ohio," said Frank Baldwin, business services account manager for AEP Ohio. "School-based food pantries and care closets help meet basic needs and give students the support they need to focus on learning and fully engage in school. It's one meaningful way the AEP Ohio Foundation can help strengthen the communities we serve."

Customer and External Affairs Manager Michael Travis said the foundation's goal is to give back to communities. He said funding is derived solely from shareholder funds and does not impact customer rates.

The foundation has supported statewide causes such as housing and education, but officials have seen significant growth in food insecurity, Travis said. His territory encompasses 28 counties, including Jefferson, and officials reached out to districts in areas facing income disparities using data from the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce.

Many districts in his region qualified, with Indian Creek, Buckeye Local, Bridgeport and Carrollton among the local sites.

"Over the last three years, the attention has focused on shelter and food insecurity, and I think we all look for what need is greatest," Travis added. "We reached out to some of the school districts for school-based care closets and food pantries. Our foundation has been very generous, but it is a small piece of what we do. We're trying to do the most where we live and work."

Anyone interested in helping the school pantries may donate by check made payable to the Indian Creek Local School District, with "Food Pantry" in the memo line. Contributions may be sent to the district office at 100 Park Drive, Wintersville, Ohio, 43953. For more information, contact the district at (740) 264-3502.