By JAN McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
When Ginny Stewart was on the BG School Board, she made it her monthly mission to find out from each building principal about the basic needs of their students that were going unfulfilled.
Which school needed pants or coats for students facing winter with little? Which school had lunch debts piling up? Which school needed to restock hygiene items for students to take home.
Since leaving the board, Stewart and her husband, Scott, have continued to support the schools by taking donations to Kenwood Elementary, where items were used at Kenwood and distributed throughout the district through the Bobcat Basics Pantry.
But given the federal shutdown and halt to SNAP benefits, Stewart recently decided to stop by Kenwood and talk with Principal Michel Bechstein about specific needs at the school.
“Michel is always a ray of sunshine and positivity,” she said. “This visit was different. He seemed very concerned in a way that I had never seen. He told me that more than ever he is hearing from parents and guardians who are very concerned about how they are going to feed and clothe their children, and are asking for more help in doing so.”
While snack foods are often sought at the school buildings to help kids make it through the day. The needs now go deeper.
“Michel shared that basic nutrition, not just snacks, was at the forefront of his concern,” Stewart said.
The principal also mentioned that with the colder weather coming, students are in need of tennis shoes and warm clothing. The school nurse said the clothing supply of pants and shirts was very low. And the front office staff said they were very concerned about what they were hearing from parents.
“I’ve always been that person who feels that one person can make a difference,” Stewart said. So she started spreading the word to others and told them of the growing needs.
“Within hours the response was overwhelming,” she said. “One person has covered the balance of the lunch program at Kenwood and many others have given gift cards for food and groceries. Half the shoe list was covered along with multiple pants and shirts – and I know that there is more coming in.”
But the needs are being seen all across the district, and more help is required, Stewart said.
“Kenwood is a microcosm of the needs of students in other buildings in our district,” she said. “In no way am I implying that the community is not and has not been generous, as they have.”
But the needs right now are greater than ever, she said.
“On Friday I received a text from Mr. Bechstein telling me that he had given a gift card to a family in need, and the grandfather got choked up and he assured me that he knew it will be used to feed his grandchildren,” Stewart said.
Stewart asked the school board to return to providing a list at each monthly meeting of the student needs in each building, so the community can respond.
“Right now, our community services and pantries are stretched to the max. They can only help so many families before they run out of food and supplies,” she said.
Board member Ryan Myers thanked Stewart for continuing to look out for students. He suggested that she reach out to Danya Claes, the district’s student wellness coordinator, about specific Bobcat Basics Pantry needs. She can be contacted at 419-354-0800 ex. 4036 or dclaes@bgcs.k12.oh.us.
Also at the meeting, Superintendent Ted Haselman reported that the community donated $35,418 to the school district last month.
“That’s pretty impressive,” Haselman said.
Among the donations were funds for Model UN, STEAM Club, 5th Grade Camp, orchestra, choral, cross country, basketball, Bobcat Basics, student lunch balances, student activities board, Crim inclusive playground, snacks and bottled water, gift cards, school supplies, shoes and clothing, hygiene and cleaning products, musical instruments, math books, BG Park and Rec passes, and Dairy Queen items.
