Knox Learning Center students launch 24/7 Little Food Pantry to support west-side neighbors

A high school class at the Knox Learning Center is determined to parlay the few canned goods they have now into a mountain of support for residents of Mount Vernon’s west side.

The Little Food Pantry is a community service project developed by Adrianna Trace’s students.

“We have a life skills class at noon where we discuss our responsibilities as citizens. Sophomore Kayden Sowers recently suggested the creation of a permanent wooden box with unlocked doors to be placed near the entrance of our school,” Trace said.

“The students have begun a campaign for donations to stock the box – which we call the Little Food Pantry – with nonperishable food items and essentials such as gloves, socks and toiletries.”

The students plan to build the box themselves at an estimated cost of $183 and have it ready after the first of the year. It will be accessible 24 hours a day.

The Learning Center, operated by the Knox Educational Service Center, is a K-12 alternative school for students who – for a variety of reasons – have difficulty succeeding in their home school environments. It is housed in the former Mount Vernon West Elementary building.

ESC Superintendent Dr. Timm Mackley said the class approached the project professionally.

“The students developed a PowerPoint presentation to outline their plans and get permission to proceed. It was very well done and we are proud to support their efforts,” Mackley said.

Sowers, who lives just a block from the school, said government food programs don’t provide sufficient support for many low-income families.

“There’s always a need,” Sowers said. “Our food pantry will be based on ‘Take what you need; leave what you can.”

Sophomore William Foote echoed Sowers’ comments.

“Not everyone is financially stable,” he said. “Not everyone can afford things at a grocery store. And inflation makes it worse.”

Within the Learning Center the class is raising funds by selling raffle tickets for a “movie night basket” and a “cozy cocoa basket.” Throughout the remainder of the year the students also will conduct a food drive to stock the pantry,

They are seeking canned goods with easy-open tabs and dried and packaged goods such as oatmeal and Ramen noodles. They also are hoping for donations of gloves, hats, socks and toiletries.

The public will be able to leave donations in a plastic tote placed at the West Vine Street entrance to the school. Students will collect the donations at the end of each school day.

“It is sometimes embarrassing for families to stand in line for assistance. We hope our food pantry will allow them to get what they need when they need it,” Trace said.