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As the Christmas break gets underway, Inspire Academy donated 11 boxes to families of Chambers County School District students from the new food pantry operated by IA students. 

Inspire Academy Principal Troy Kelley said the boxes were made to supplement meals for the whole Christmas break away from school. Much of the nonperishable food was chosen with the ease of preparation in mind. 

The IA food pantry is a recent project that helps to fill the food insecurity in the families of the school district. It also serves as a hands-on teaching tool for many of the students at Inspire Academy. 

The Culinary and Hospitality students studying for their ServSafe certification were among the students who helped prepare the pantry area and inspect the donated cans to ensure everything was up to food safety standards.

There were 10 profiles submitted to the “Inspire 2 Serve” food distribution. They were identified by counselors and other school staff as families with a possible need to be filled. Students from J.P. Powell Middle School, Eastside Elementary School and LaFayette High School will receive the 10 boxes.

Another box was picked up on Monday when an urgent situation arose, totaling 11 total boxes distributed.

Boxes of nonperishable essential food items were anonymously packaged for the homes based on the number of children in the household. The largest number of children was 10. 

The boxes were picked up by Missions Team Leader Doug Martin from the First Baptist Church in LaFayette. From there, they will be delivered to each home to help with the transportation hardship that many families face. 

First Baptist Church will also supplement the boxes with 100 pounds of donated meat. 

Kelley said the next food drive for donations will be in mid-January so the donations will be ready for distribution in February.

As the students come back after the holidays, Kelley said they will again be involved in the categorization and distribution of the food items. He said being involved in that will help translate the deeper meaning of the work the students are doing.