When a student comes to school hungry or without basic necessities, learning can become much more difficult.
Across Ohio, many schools have already established food pantries, care closets and other resource programs to help students access essentials such as food, clothing and hygiene products. These programs play an important role in helping students focus on what matters most: learning.
During conversations with charitable organizations, leaders at the AEP Ohio Foundation consistently heard of the growing number of students and families relying on these resources. Wanting to support the schools doing this important work, the Foundation provided $2,000 grants to schools across Ohio to strengthen existing food pantries, care closets and student resource centers.
The AEP Ohio Foundation invested $96,000 to support nearly 50 schools across AEP Ohio’s service territory, helping ensure students have access to the basic necessities they need to succeed in the classroom.
“Many students and families are facing food insecurity across Ohio,” said Michael Travis, customer and external affairs manager for AEP Ohio. “School-based food pantries and care closets help meet basic needs and give students the support they need to focus on learning and fully engage in school. It’s one meaningful way the AEP Ohio Foundation helps strengthen the communities we serve.”
Support When It Matters Most
At Gallipolis City School District’s Rio Grande Elementary School, school leaders used grant funding to create a Student Food & Care Closet stocked with easy-to-prepare food, hygiene items, clothing essentials and school supplies.
“Our goal is to make these items easily and discreetly available to students so that a lack of basic necessities never becomes a barrier to feeling comfortable, confident and ready to learn,” said Principal Miranda Fortner.
At Indian Creek Local School District, the grant will support food pantries in each of the district’s four school buildings.
“This gift is so much more than stocking shelves. It is about making sure our students and families have access to the resources they need, providing support when it matters most,” the district shared in a Facebook post. “Your generosity will make a meaningful difference across our district.”
Strengthening Existing Support Systems
The impact is already being felt across Ohio.
At Bridgeport Exempted Village School District, local media highlighted how the district’s “Puppy Pantry,” named after the Bridgeport Bulldogs mascot, uses food and hygiene supplies to support students and families throughout the school year. Andrea Criswell, the district’s homeless liaison, said the grant will help keep essential items available for students who rely on the pantry.
“That $2,000, I think will take us well into the school year to cover hygiene supplies if needed, but definitely food items,” Criswell told local media.
In Athens City Schools, Superintendent Chad Springer said the funding will help schools provide food assistance, hygiene products, clothing and emergency supplies identified through a district-wide needs assessment.
“We have seen firsthand the positive impact these resources have on student attendance,” Springer said. “This grant will allow us to serve our families even more effectively.”
A Note of Gratitude
Sometimes the impact of a program is best captured in a few handwritten words.
After receiving its grant, Wynford High School used the funding to restock hygiene products available to students. In a thank-you note, Family and Consumer Sciences teacher Crystal Jennings shared:
Her note is a reminder that behind every pantry shelf and care closet are students whose lives can be made a little easier through access to everyday necessities.
Helping Students Across Ohio
Every school’s needs are different, but the mission is the same: helping students feel supported, confident and ready to learn. From large districts to small rural schools, educators across Ohio have built programs that help students access basic necessities. Through these grants, the AEP Ohio Foundation helped strengthen those efforts and support schools making a difference in the lives of students and families.
(Photo caption: In addition to supporting school food pantries and care closets, The AEP Ohio Foundation awarded a $10,000 grant to the Scioto Valley YMCA in August to support its at-risk youth food program, helping provide free breakfasts, lunches and snacks to local children.)
North Ohio
- East Liverpool City Schools
- New Philadelphia City Schools
- Delphos City Schools
- Paulding Exempted Village Schools
- Elida Local Schools
- Edison Local School District
- Fremont City School District
- Tuscarawas Valley Local School District
- Wynford Local Schools
- Buckeye Local School District
- Bellaire Local School District
- Harrison Hills City
- Osnaburg Local Schools
- Tiffin City Schools
- Minerva Mission
- Claymont City Schools
- Bridgeport Exempted Village School District
- Carrollton Exempted Village School District
- Canton Local Schools
- Indian Creek High School
South Ohio
- Frontier Local School District
- River Valley Middle School
- New Lexington School District
- Lancaster City School District
- Green Local Schools
- Fort Frye Local School District
- Eastern Local School District
- Vinton County School District
- Oak Hill Union Local School District
- Circleville City School District
- Southeastern Local School District
- Athens City School District
- Northwest Local School District
- Rio Grande Elementary School
- Alexander Local Schools
- Wellston City Schools
- Minford Local Schools
- Scioto Valley Local Schools
- Duncan Falls Elementary School
- Zanesville City School District
- Chillicothe City School District
- Manchester Local Schools
- Hillsboro City School District
- Southern Local School District
- Fairfield Union Local School District
- Nelsonville-York City School District
- Federal Hocking Local Schools
Last Updated Sept. 18, 2026
