Jan 29, 2020, 2:13 PM

The Hastings Mutual Insurance Company Charitable Foundation recognizes the contributions of nonprofit organizations in the communities we serve. Each month, we’ll honor one of those organizations as our Nonprofit of the Month.

Lakeview Local Schools in Cortland, Ohio, started a new project in 2018: the “Bulldog Pantry.” The bulldog is the district’s mascot (there’s a single high school), while the pantry is a storage area for food — food that will go home each week with students in need.

It’s estimated that about 30% of the district’s students are considered economically disadvantaged, and don’t have enough to eat each week. Before the Bulldog Pantry was officially started, the district offered free bags of food to middle schoolers each weekend. The pantry is a way to expand the program to all younger students, from kindergarten to grade 8. 



About 30% to 40% of all food in the U.S. is wasted each year (spoiled, damaged, or simply not used), according to the USDA. In Trumbull County, where Cortland is located, the food insecurity rate is 16%. Food insecurity is defined as limited or uncertain access to adequate food. That’s what the Bulldog Pantry is trying to confront. The district can’t provide food for every child all year long, but a full pantry can cut the number of hungry children coming to learn every day. 

The Lakeview Local School District’s “Bulldog Pantry” is supported by Hastings Mutual and and Mayflower Wollam Insurance.