News Photo by Julie Goldberg Food is stacked up in Kayla Nichols’ classroom at Hillman Elementary School on Thursday. Nichols’ classroom used to be completely full with food, but some food has gone home with students and their families to help them over winter break.

HILLMAN — Forty-one students in Hillman Community Schools will not go hungry over winter break because they were provided food that was donated to the school.

Kayla Nichols, instructional coach and data coordinator at Hillman Elementary School, said Thursday that 41 students are being fed food for three meals each day during winter break from the donations.

The food for students has been boxed up and parents have been coming to get the food or the food is being delivered to the students.

The school used to ask for donations from local food banks and churches and this is the first time a group of people have gotten together to collect food for the students who often depend on school meals.

“They’re without us for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, so we started by just asking for donations, putting boxes around, and my room quickly became full,” Nichols said.

Hillman Elementary School Principal Pam Rader said the school has always been concerned about students having food when winter break, spring break, and summers come. When the community found out about that, they wanted to help.

“Kayla really took the lead on this, and the Friends of Hillman Schools stepped up and assisted, as well, and, when we got the word out there, it just came flooding in,” Rader said. “I cannot thank the community enough. And we were able to provide food for what we feel like they will need to be be well taken care of during the holiday break, which is wonderful, because we don’t worry.”

Rader said that, if the fundamental needs for students are met, the educational needs are also met. She said seeing Nichols’ classroom packed with food was exciting to see.

“It really brought me to tears,” Rader said.

A food pantry is in the works at the elementary school. Nichols said the pantry will be open to the public before and after school and for students during lunch. She said families don’t have to fill out anything, they can just go to the pantry and get what they need.

“We were thinking that there are some kids who eat what they have for lunch and maybe are still hungry and don’t have any money on their lunch account at the time,” Nichols said. “They are more than welcome to come in.”

The food pantry will have a microwave and refrigerator that the students can use.

Nichols approached the district’s Board of Education last week to get permission to start the food pantry. She’s waiting to hear back from the board about it, but, since it’s to help students, Nichols said they should allow the food pantry start.

“The support from the community has just been tremendous,” Nichols said.

The food donation started with 36 students who qualified for the school’s backpack program through the Lions Club. It then expanded to the 41 students being served next week.

The backpack program will continue after students are back in January and Nichols said the school is hoping to help students during spring break.

The Board of Education has talked about doing a summer food program.

People can also drop off monetary donations. Nichols said there’s an account at the school for those donations.

Julie Goldberg can be reached at 989-358-5688 or jgoldberg@thealpenanews.com. Follow her on Twitter @jkgoldberg12.