Heather Stevens, founder of Feeding Kids Cleveland County, told the school board on Nov. 10 that the volunteer-powered nonprofit serves students and families across the district with four core programs: weekend food bags, school-break home deliveries, Reading Kids (books included with deliveries) and six community Thanksgiving meal sites.

Stevens said Feeding Kids sends approximately 301 weekend food bags weekly, will deliver to “270 plus homes” for Thanksgiving, and last year served about 1,500 community Thanksgiving meals. She emphasized partnerships with school social workers to reach families and said donations of money are most useful because they permit the organization to purchase exactly what is needed; she also outlined lists of most-needed books and food items and gave the district a QR code and website (feedingkidscc.org) for volunteer sign-ups.

Board members thanked Stevens and several trustees described participating in deliveries and book drives. Stevens invited trustees and staff to accompany a delivery and to use the sign-up QR code; she encouraged both monetary donations and local food- and book-drive efforts.

The board did not take formal action on the presentation but recognized Feeding Kids’ role in addressing local food insecurity and literacy needs.