By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
The Panther Pantry, created by former Great Bend High School Special Education Teacher Dawn Szot and Counselor Rachel Thexton, is entering its third year as a way to help hungry students at the school. MPIRE Realty Group kept up its end of the tradition by donating snacks, quick meals, and hygiene items for the start of the school year. Thexton remains active with the program and was grateful for the donation.
"We just don't want kids to be hungry," she said. "Money is tight, so if we can help them not be hungry, we would definitely like to do that. We send home bags of food. A lot of times we'll send out an email on Friday afternoon who needs it for the weekend, but really, we'll give it to them whenever they need it."
The donation included macaroni cups, instant mashed potatoes, canned goods, breakfast bars, cereals and more. Szot resigned from the district last year, and Andrea Siefkes, a science teacher at GBHS, is assisting Thexton with the pantry. Along with the food pantry, the school also offers a hygiene closet.
"We carry shampoo, conditioner, body wash, toothbrush/toothpaste, laundry detergent - we also got a bunch of detergent from MPIRE - and deodorant," Thexton said. "We also have a cabinet of school supplies."
Dillons donated school supplies Friday so the school is well stocked on those, but Thexton said donations of food or hygiene products are always welcome. Anyone wishing to donate can call the school at (620) 793-1521 and ask for Thexton.