CONNORVILLE — A new food pantry will begin at Buckeye Local High School to help fuel students as they fill their minds with knowledge.

The student council organization is developing the pantry, which is eyed for a room near the second-floor media center early next year. Advisor Mike DiCenzo said the idea is to enable students to have access

“We hope to implement the pantry starting next semester,” said DiCenzo. “We will have snacks for them throughout the day, as well as food to take home for their families.”

Members of the student council’s executive committee were reviewing results of a student-based survey to determine what items to include. DiCenzo said some of the requests included fruit snacks and granola or cereal bars, plus there will be some traditional items for pupils to take home. He said the student council was inspired by a successful venture at another school while formulating plans for the pantry.

“We had recognized the great work done at Indian Creek High School and brought the idea to the student council executive committee. I contacted Indian Creek’s principal and asked if our students could see their project,” he added, saying they collected information to incorporate into their plan at Buckeye Local. “We want to have it started around January or February.”

The group also plans to work with local pastors from Rayland, Tiltonsville and Yorkville to gather items and hopes are to expand and include churches throughout the school district. Once it is open, the pantry will be available at set times throughout the school day.

“This is probably our largest undertaking,” he continued, saying the student council remains active in other projects as well.

The 60-member group, which is led by co-presidents Conrad Schuetz and Kya DeMeter, also oversees the biannual blood drives and organizes Veterans Day assemblies at the school, plus it works with the junior high student council on activities. DiCenzo also shares advisory duties with math teacher Jenny Lowry. He said having the pantry is an important way to support the students at BLHS.

“Our executive committee is most heavily invested in making sure they give back to the school and they want to make sure it continues. As a 2010 graduate of Buckeye Local, I want to see good things happen for the students here.”