By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Sometimes a little idea becomes a big deal. Great Bend High School Special Education Teacher Dawn Szot and Counselor Rachel Thexton started the Panther Pantry two years ago. The small idea has blossomed into an effective way to send food home with hungry kids.
"Rachel Thexton and I just had a conversation in her office one afternoon, and we were talking about the needs of some of our kids," Szot said. "Neither one of us really has the let's-table-it-for-later attitude. By that afternoon, we had sent out an email to staff asking for teen-friendly food donations. It kind of just snowballed from there."
The process is simple: students in need can reach out to one of three guidance counselors in the building. That counselor will then reach out to Szot, who fills a bag with food and delivers it to the counselor, who hands it off to the student in need. The simple service is invaluable on weekends or breaks when school meals are unavailable.
The food comes from various sources, from students to businesses and churches, and monetary donations. Keeping food stocked can be an issue, especially heading into extended breaks like Thanksgiving and Christmas. Szot said the pantry got some big help on Thursday when the Great Plains Association of Realtors dropped off several boxes of food en route to delivering food to all the high schools in Barton County.
"I have been completely overwhelmed with how much the community has supported us," said Szot. "The students within our building have been phenomenal. They bring in stuff just because they want to, or if they're trying to earn their service points, but the fact that the community has shown so much generosity, I was in tears (Thursday) they brought in all that food."
But that food will not last forever. Szot said there is a need for the service in the school, and she and Thexton have had to make shopping trips to keep food in the cupboards. Even the recent donation will likely be gone after Christmas.
A monetary fund has been set up at the school, and Szot and Thexton can use that to shop for groceries. Anyone wishing to donate money or food can call Great Bend High School at (620) 793-1521 and ask for Szot or Thexton for more information.