Community volunteer urges board to publish building-level student needs amid food and clothing strains
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Summary
Ginny Stewart told the DuPont University Board of Education that Kenwood Elementary is seeing more families asking for help with basic nutrition and warm clothing after recent federal disruptions; she asked the board to resume announcing building-specific needs to guide donations and increase public awareness.
Ginny Stewart, a community volunteer and former board member, told the DuPont University Board of Education that recent changes in federal benefits have left more Bowling Green families struggling to feed and clothe schoolchildren.
"He told me that more than ever, he is hearing from parents and guardians who are very concerned about how they are going to feed and clothe their children," Stewart said, describing a recent conversation with Kenwood Elementary Principal Michael Bechstein. She said school staff — including the school nurse, Jody — reported shortages of pants, shirts and basic nutrition, and that community pantries are "stretched to the max." Stewart said donations coordinated by her and other community members have provided gift cards, shoes and clothing to families but that public awareness would be higher if building-level needs were shared at board meetings.
The request prompted a board member to encourage continued coordination with district staff. An unidentified board member thanked Stewart for speaking and urged her to work with Dania Klass (district building needs contact) so the Bobcat Basics lists are posted and donors can see specific building requests.
Why it matters: School staff and volunteers said food and clothing requests have increased; community donations and school-run pantries are a critical stopgap when families face benefit interruptions. Publicizing building-specific needs could make it easier for donors to match resources to requests, school advocates said.
What the district said: The superintendent and board members acknowledged the concerns and urged continued coordination with the district—s family support contacts. The board did not take formal action at the meeting but pointed speakers to Dania Klass and the Bobcat Basics list, which the district posts for donor use.
Next steps: Stewart and the district contacts said they will continue outreach and rely on existing community partners (BG Schools Foundation, PTOs and local businesses) to meet immediate needs.