DISTRICT UPDATES
Merrillville Schools Open
BY ANGELICA CLAIBORNE DIRECTOR OF FOOD SERVICES MERRILLVILLE COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION
and they receive 5 days’ worth of food according to family size. They also receive small clothing items, such as shoes and toiletries, if needed. The district’s food service director, Angelica Claiborne, wrote and received a grant for $15,000 from NO KID HUNGRY to stock the shelves. She
Pirates helping Pirates is their motto! Merrillville Community School Corporation opened a food pantry on November 1, 2022 to help their most needy students and their families. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held to commemorate this special event. Superintendent Nick Brown, board members, and other staff members were present.
and her assistant Mia shop around at local grocery stores for the pantry. They work with high school students to unload the truck and fill the pantry. The students earn community service hours by lending a helping hand in the pantry by packing boxes for families, managing pantry inventory, and delivering the items to the visitors. The pantry is located in a small room at their high school and is stocked with non-perishable cans and packaged foods.
Merrillville is located in Northwest Indiana and has 5800 students. Their current free/reduced approval rate is 65%. Merrillville is home to a flourishing Head Start preschool program, an adult education program, and a host of other programs. The administration believes in making the best decisions for its students. If anything can be done to help the students and families, they are willing to try. A nearby food bank saw an increase in participants in 2020, which inspired the Merrillville Administration to look at what they could do to help.
The district also holds food drives and accepts donations in an ongoing effort to keep the pantry stocked. The ultimate goal is to help as many families as possible and teach their students the power of giving.
The concept to support their students and families was driven by feedback provided to staff members through a survey given during the 2021-2022 school year. The survey results revealed a food insecurity issue bigger than originally thought. The pantry is meant to provide temporary relief for families who are connected to other agencies for support by the social workers and Family and Engagement Specialists. Once families are identified by social workers, they are given a flier to visit the pantry. Private arrangements are made with the families
If you would like to send a monetary donation to help aid a family in need, please contact Merrillville Food Service department at 219- 650-5300 ext. 6089 or scan the QR code.
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