Laurel County 3rd grader provides meals to people in need following I-75 shooting

LONDON, Ky. ( FOX 56 ) — Laurel County Schools students will head back to the classroom tomorrow for the first time since the I-75 shooting happened.

In the time school was out, students who relied on school lunches were not being fed, but one family stepped up to help lift some of the stress off families in need.

Gideon Johnson and his mom Samantha took the initiative by easing the burden of food insecurity by providing meals to people across the county.

Since last Wednesday, they have provided food for children in the area who have been going without school meals.

“Nutrition is a necessity,” said Johnson. “And sometimes some of these kids, the only food that they’re getting is at school. And when school’s out, they’re not getting anything. And so, we think it’s just detrimental to our community that we are making sure that these little ones are fed.

London Mayor Randall Weddle awarded Gideon a key to the city for his generosity. He said it is an initiative that has met such a great need after local schools canceled classes out of safety concerns.

“That was the concern,” said Weddle. “Families now have an extra burden of, you know, acquiring food where kids maybe eat during the day at school, but now parents were obligated to have more food at home.”

Gideon said his passion for helping others started last year after he noticed a good friend needed meal assistance.

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“He needed help with his food,” said Gideon. “And I packed extra snacks and then it just came up from there.”

When school closed last week, he said he knew the need would be significant. So, he and his mom decided to pack and deliver bags with various food items and basic necessities. So far, they have helped feed 29 families.

“Maybe going forward when devastation hits our communities, not just here but nationwide, that people step up and follow what God has laid on their hearts to do to help those in their community, because it takes us all,” Johnson added.

“I want Gideon to continue to be the light in the hands and the feet of Christ,” added Weddle. “That’s something that this world needs, this nation needs, and definitely this community needed that. We can’t thank him enough for being that voice and showing love in a time when we need it most in this nation. It’s a beautiful thing.”

As Laurel County Schools return Tuesday, the mayor and Johnson family said they are ready to get back to a sense of normalcy.

The school system released a statement saying it will provide enhanced security measures for bus transportation services, school campuses, and extra-curricular activities.

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