Carroll Hills School launches Cougar Care Kits to fight weekend hunger

Carroll Hills School, part of the Carroll County Board of Developmental Disabilities, has announced the launch of the Cougar Care Kits program, a weekend backpack initiative designed to provide simple, ready-to-make meals for students in need.

The idea grew out of a deep desire to meet the needs of families in the Carrollton community, where staff have seen firsthand the challenges many face. “We’ve noticed a growing need and families in crisis,” said Tabatha Peterson of the Cougar Care Team. “We want to make sure every Cougar is warm and full.”

While other local districts such as Brown Local, Carrollton and Minerva already have weekend meal programs, the Cougar Care Kits initiative marks Carroll Hills School’s first program of its kind. The project is being built from the ground up with community support, and the first kits are scheduled to go home with students Oct. 31, with the program officially beginning Nov. 1. “Our goal is to start feeding students right away and continue providing support throughout the school year,” said Olivia Schockling of the Cougar Care Team.

The school wanted the program to be as welcoming and barrier free as possible. There are no eligibility requirements—any family that feels the kits would be helpful is invited to participate. “We reached out to every family in our building,” the team said. “Any family who felt they could benefit was invited to sign up, and we are continuing to accept new participants throughout the school year.”

Each weekend, participating students will receive a bag filled with easy-to-prepare meals and snacks, ensuring they have food available when school meals aren’t. Items include cereal, oatmeal, noodles, soup, granola bars and fruit cups along with bottled water and juice. Each kit provides two breakfasts, two lunches and three snacks and costs about $4.56 to assemble. Fridays before long weekends include extra items such as peanut butter, jelly, cereal and bread. The school estimates the annual cost of feeding participating students at around $10,000, providing 27 weekend bags throughout the year.

Middle and high school students will help shop for supplies and pack the kits each week, learning responsibility, teamwork and compassion as they serve their peers. The program has already received generous support from local organizations and businesses, including Carrollton First United Methodist Church, which donated coats, hats and gloves for students this winter. Financial support has also come from the HRH Foundation, The Ohio Grille, Pampered Pets, Attorney Kelley Bryan, Bud’s Farm Toys, Carrollton Fraternal Order of Eagles 2185 and other donors.

“It’s about more than food,” said the Cougar Care Team. “It’s about teaching our students the value of giving, compassion and responsibility.”

Looking ahead, Carroll Hills hopes to expand the Cougar Care Kits to include basic hygiene products, socks and other essentials. “With the continued support of our generous community, we can meet even more of our students’ needs,” the team said. “Together, we can ensure that every Cougar feels cared for, supported and knows where their next meal comes from.”

For more information or to learn how to donate, contact Tabby at Carroll Hills School at 330-627-7651.