Photo Provided The Buckeye Local High School Student Council formed a free food pantry for students near the second-floor media center. Looking over some of the items are student council Co-Presidents Kya DeMeter and Conrad Schuetz.

CONNORVILLE — Students can quell their hunger with a new food pantry available at Buckeye Local High School.

The student council began operating the program on Jan. 21 and members are spreading the word that it benefits everyone. A variety of treats are stocked in a space near the second-floor media center to help students curb their appetite at school, plus they can take items home. The pantry is open before first and second period-or respectively from 7:25 a.m. to 7:34 a.m. and 8:20 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., as well as before departure at the end of the school day.

Adviser Mike DiCenzo, who shares duties with fellow teacher Jenny Lowry, said the idea was to give students access to snacks as well as to help feed their families, and there was an obvious need to fill.

Members of the student council’s executive committee created a student-based survey to determine what items to include and requests ranged from fruit snacks and granola bars to soup and macaroni and cheese. The organization also was inspired by a successful program at Indian Creek High School and reviewed their project to obtain ideas.

BLHS Student Council Co-Presidents Kya DeMeter and Conrad Schuetz said local churches have donated food for the pantry to help keep it replenished. The goal now is to ensure students know it is available so they can take advantage.

“It’s everything they can easily make here or take home,” said DeMeter. “It’s for everyone and it’s free food.”

“There are Pop Tarts, macaroni and cheese and Ramen noodles,” added Schuetz. “It’s open to anybody, whether you got up late and didn’t eat breakfast or need to take something home. The local churches donate items or money and we purchase items.”