MINOT, ND ( KXNET ) — A local middle school has a brand new food pantry to make sure no students go hungry.

The new Central Middle School in Minot received a $2400 grant last month from the Minot Area Community Foundation Arnold Besserud Fund. The money was awarded after school staff noticed that a portion of the student population was facing food insecurity. Central Middle School serves many of Minot’s low-income families. Jason Zimmerman, the president of the Minot Area Community Foundation (MACF), says the food pantry is meant to help feed students throughout the school year.

“They wanted to incorporate a new food pantry there, which is something that they have at Jim Hill with the Mystic pantry, to be able to serve those students that may be in need throughout the school year and throughout any school week,” Zimmerman said.

The pantry will have all kinds of food, ranging from crackers and chips to pasta and rice. The pantry will also have a refrigerator and freezer. It is stocked with grocery items that students are able to take home each Friday, but snack items will only be offered during school days. Zimmerman says that he hopes the pantry will allow students to focus on school and not worry about their next meal.

“In order for our youth to have the opportunity to be kids, go to school, and be educated and not have to worry about being hungry, if they need a snack, maybe if they go home for the weekend, they’re going to have some food in the house that they can eat to sustain them through the weekend,” Zimmerman said.

Currently, 16 students at Central Middle School use the food pantry, but faculty at the school say the pantry can accommodate more students if needed.

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