TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — Godby High School received a $2,000 grant on Tuesday to help keep their food pantry stocked through the school year, helping students both inside and outside the classroom.
For many students, especially those in Title I Schools like Godby High school, schools are a source of sustenance, granting access to meals those students may not find at home.
What do those students do on the weekends?
"I'd like to present to you and Godby High School this check for $2,000 to, if you will, completely fill the 2020-2021 food pantry," said Dale Tadlock of Tadlock Roofing.
For the past three years, the local company has made it part of its mission to fund the extra food needed to keep students and their families fed even while school doors are closed.
"It fills my heart with joy," Tadlock said. "It helps me to be and feel like I'm making a difference. It may be a very small difference, but at least I'm making a difference."
Godby principal Desmond Cole says it's not so small. All of their students are on free and reduced lunches.
Their pantry was an essential service before the coronavirus pandemic, and now many of the low-income families in the Title One school need help more than ever.
"I can't imagine having to go through this pandemic the way it's been ravaging our world, our country, our local Leon County-Tallahassee area and then to add, I can't even imagine that. So add hunger the lack of meals," said Cole. "It's a tough situation. So by having our pantry available, I think it lessens some of the burdens that some of our families are going to be going through."
Because of Tadlock's donation, students will be able to grab extra food for themselves and their families any day of the week.
Tadlock says it's important for business owners and neighbors alike to be willing to lend an extra hand as we all work through the challenges presented by COVID-19.
