By Jasmine Osman, RULH HS Counselor –

Ripley-Union-Lewis-Huntington High School has recently started a School Pantry in the high school.
“Last year, I received an email about applying for a Freestore Food Bank grant,” said Jasmine Osman RULH Counselor, “Mrs. Maiberger, EMIS/Guidance Coordi-nator and I, with the help of Susie Skinner, our principal, Mrs. Dugan, our secretary, and Ms. Fannin, one of our English teachers, wrote the grant and submitted it in April 2016.
“We found out on May 27, 2016, that we were recipients of the grant for the school years 2016-17, 2017-18, and 2018-19.
According to Osman, all the families at Ripley High School were notified of the School Pantry; included in the letter was a sign-up sheet. Teachers can also make referrals for the pantry.
Families who did not originally sign up can sign up any time or ask for help during special times such as medical emergencies or layoffs.
Each month, our school receives $750 to spend on items from the Freestore Food Bank. It is delivered right to the school.
“We have a room designated for the School Pantry,” Osman said. “In addition to what we get from the food bank, we also receive and welcome donations from the community. We have clothing and prom dresses, personal hygiene items, and school supplies, along with food.
“To date, we have 22 students who receive items once per week from the pantry.”