MAUMEE, Ohio (WTVG) – Fort Miami Elementary School has converted its free little libraries into food pantries to help families struggling with food insecurity.
The school transformed the small wooden structures that previously housed books into pantries stocked with canned goods and snacks for anyone in need.
“We’ve got so many people volunteering to bring the goods and then we do have a significant need for people who just need the stuff as well,” said Jim Amspoker, principal at Fort Miami Elementary School.
The idea came from the district’s social worker, who works for the police department, partially in response to families whose SNAP benefits have been cut or delayed.
“We probably get one to two phone calls daily for the parents, just say what can we do. Part of this came from the whole SNAP benefits thing that kind of sparked it as well,” Amspoker said.
The school receives one to two calls daily from parents seeking assistance, according to Amspoker.
“These times are tough on a lot of people and so this is our way of being able to reach out to our families,” he said.
The school also maintains a large cabinet stocked with food near the front entrance.
“It’s not everything, but we’ve got something and even something if it could help our family, that’s what we’re here to do,” Amspoker said.
Campbell Soup Company is expected to donate nearly a pallet of food items to the school early next week, according to Amspoker.
Non-perishable food donations are being accepted throughout November at the following locations:
- St. Paul’s Lutheran, 112 E. Wayne Street
- Clara J’s Tea Room, 219 W Wayne Street
- Fort Miami Elementary School, 2501 River Road
- Fairfield Elementary School, 1313 Eastfield Drive
- Maumee Intermediate School, 1147 7th Street
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This article was published by WTVG on 2025-11-13 17:44:00
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