The Meigs County Community Fund, in partnership with Meigs Local, Eastern Local, and Southern Local school districts, is creating a county-wide, school-based food pantry that will provide a monthly, year-round distribution of healthy and nutritious food to school-aged children and their families impacted by food insecurity.  

The impact of COVID-19 on students and families has been significant: 51% of Eastern Local students, 84% of Meigs Local students, 77% of Southern Local students, and 40% of Alexander student received free and reduced–price lunch.  

Modeled after a similar program in the Athens City School District, this program will provide monthly food boxes to students and their families in Meigs County that include staple food items like milk, and produce. Food boxes will be packed at a central location in Pomeroy and then transported to partner schools to distribute to families. Schools are often the closest to provide resources to students and families, allowing the program to meet needs where they are.  

The monthly cost per family served is $20 and the committee spearheading this project is looking for three months of support for 120 families in the county.  

Food insecurity impacts so many in our communities. While many programs provide food specifically for students or seniors, this new program will provide food to support entire families, focusing on staple items, including dairy products, that are often difficult to source from other programs.

Further, the program will support students and families by delivering resources where they are most easily reached: the school building itself. This program will work in close collaboration between the Meigs County Community Fund, local school districts, local businesses and providers, and other looking to support the Meigs County community.