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‘This is what we need;’ Dayton elementary school creates food pantry to help families facing hunger

DAYTON — One in six people in the Montgomery County do not know where they’re next meal will come from— including more than 26-thousand children.

To improve the issue Edison Elementary in Dayton has partnered with the Foodbank and Miami Valley Meals, among others, to create a food pantry at the school.

>> Photos: Dayton elementary school creates food pantry to help families facing hunger

A ribbon cutting ceremony was held Wednesday for the grand opening of the new pantry.

Snacks, healthy meals and fresh vegetables are just some of the items available for free in the new food pantry at Edison Elementary.

Bonda Ford, Title 1 Representative at Edison Elementary, says hunger is bad at the school.

“You can see it when they get it. How quickly they eat it,” Ford said.

Ford, who’s whole family went to Edison Elementary, is now doing her part to give back.

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“This food pantry I think this is what we need,” Ford said. “I will be helping transport delivery for the families that don’t have transportation.”

This is the first food pantry within Dayton Public Schools. It came together over the past five to six months.

Elizabeth Swanson helped to make this pantry a reality, and like Ford, will also be delivering food.

“This particular family has five children, transportation problem too, to be able to do this for them is important and important for our school,” Swanson said.

The meals will be delivered throughout the summer when food insecurity is especially high.

“With this program, they’ll have food for dinner, weekends, spring break, Christmas break,” Swanson said.

Later this summer, the pantry will also include fresh produce from the Possum Creek MetroPark garden.










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