LHS food pantry opens to students and families Dec. 20

Dec. 19—Logansport Community School Corporation (LCSC) students and families coping with food insecurity can now shop at Felix's Food Pantry once every month.

Amy Werner, an art teacher at the school, had a vision and that was helping the students who experienced food insecurity.

All of the local elementary schools had a backpack program. At the end of the week, elementary school students in need received a backpack full of food to help them get through the weekend.

But high school students did not have such a program.

The result was Felix's Food Pantry and her vision is now shared by many of the students who help her keep the pantry running.

The early days of the pantry were a challenge. It consisted of just two bookshelves full of canned goods. Two months after it opened COVID-19 hit. Fast forward to 2022 and Felix's Food Pantry is finally thriving.

Two bookshelves are now multiple wired shelves. There are two heavy duty refrigerators, crates and trolleys to store and transport food.

Logansport High School students in need may pick up a food bag at the end of the day on Fridays. The filled bags are given to teachers for the students to confidentially retrieve.

But Felix's Food Pantry goes a step beyond that. Once a month it opens so students and their families may shop.

When patrons come to the pantry they scan a QR code and can enter information or do a sign in sheet. Werner is the only one who sees who has visited.

The pantry does ask for some demographic information when someone signs up for access to the pantry. The process is quick and easy, said Werner.

"We don't check anyone's work records," she said. "We don't ask for a pay stub. We try to serve anyone who is trying to make ends meet."

Werner reported that since August 2022 the pantry helped 1320 families and a total of 4952 individuals.

The community has been quick to support the pantry.

"Different places reach out and ask what we are in need of," she said. "We purchase a lot of our food from Food Finders but the donations are nice because it's a good change and gives a good mix of foods we can offer our students."

The United Way of Cass County is also set to partner with Felix's Food Pantry in 2023.

"We worked with Amy Werner during COVID to help provide meals to people in the community," said United Way of Cass County executive director Chris Armstrong. "Amy is a wonderful, caring person and people are lucky to have her running Felix's Pantry. 2023 will be the first year United Way will be providing funding and we look forward to a great working relationship. Unfortunately, there is a big need for food in our community, but we are glad to be able to help with this."

Werner estimates she puts three or four hours of work into the pantry each day on top of her full-time teaching duties. On a week when a shipment is incoming or the pantry opens to LCSC families, it's a bit more.

That's why she is so thankful to the students who help. One of the biggest groups of supporters is the J.A.G. class. J.A.G. (Jobs for America's Graduates) is a class that teaches students life skills such as writing a cover letter and resume and interviewing for a job. The class also requires 10 hours of public service.

"They do the heavy lifting for me," she said. "They come down once a week and pack the food bags and get deliveries from Food Finders. They unload the food. They help organize the pantry. Without them I couldn't do this. I'm just one person and they are 30 people. And Mr. Stetz has been amazing to help out with that."

"We come down every Wednesday, fill the food bags and every Thursday we deliver them," said Joe Stetz, who oversees the J.A.G. program.

Stetz said he doesn't even need to give his students directions anymore. They arrive in the pantry and immediately get to work.

"I think they realize how important the service they provide for the community is," he said. "It's a wonderful thing to see."

Ryan Mullins, a junior in the J.A.G. class, said he knew food insecurity was a problem in the community but never understood the impact until he started helping in the pantry.

"It's been positive and fun," he said. "We come here and just help out the community."

The pantry is always ready to accept help. One big need is perishable foods. Werner said she is able to access dry and canned goods for the pantry but perishable items are a bit more of a challenge.

"Felix's Pantry is such an awesome support for our students, families and community," said LCSC Superintendent Michele Starkey. "I am so thankful for the efforts of Mrs. Werner, the students who work in the pantry and for the support provided by the community in order to keep it stocked. It is a great opportunity for our students to learn about giving back to their community and supporting others, which are attributes that make for successful futures."

Werner said she can't wrap her mind around how the pantry has grown in such a short time.

"When I started it, it was like two bookshelves full of canned goods and we just had this image of kids coming and getting food as they needed it," she said. "But it's evolved into this wonderful, helpful tool for many of our students and families outside the walls of Logansport High School."

Those interested in helping the pantry or LCSC students and families in need of the services may contact Werner at wernera@lcsc.in.us.