Cincinnati School Partners with Food Rescue to Combat Hunger as Summer Break Looms
As summer approaches, thousands of students in Ohio will lose access to free school meals—a critical resource for low-income families. But one Cincinnati high school is stepping up to ensure surplus cafeteria food reaches those in need instead of ending up in the trash.
Lakota East High School has teamed up with Last Mile Food Rescue, a nonprofit that redirects excess food to local pantries and banks. Volunteers recently collected dozens of boxes of unused meals from the school’s cafeteria, part of a partnership launched earlier this year to tackle both waste and hunger.
A Growing Need
Food insecurity is rising across Ohio, with many families struggling to afford groceries amid high inflation. Schools often serve as a lifeline—25% to 50% of Lakota’s prepared meals go uneaten, according to district estimates. Instead of discarding leftovers, the district now donates them to Last Mile, which distributes the food across Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.
“I never realized how much need there was until I got involved,” said volunteer Carl Kalota, whose own children attended Lakota schools. “The food we pick up stays in this community—it’s very rewarding.”
Fighting Hunger, One Meal at a Time
Last Mile Food Rescue works with 600 donors, including grocery stores, restaurants, and now schools, to prevent edible food from being wasted. In 2025 alone, the organization rescued the equivalent of 5.8 million meals, feeding thousands of families in the region.
“You don’t always know who’s struggling,” said Deni Robey, Last Mile’s marketing director. “It’s often the person next door.”
The nonprofit has set an ambitious goal: ending food insecurity in Cincinnati by 2030. With partnerships like Lakota East’s, they’re making progress—one delivery at a time.
Students Take Notice
For Reina Ryan, a junior at Lakota East, the initiative hits close to home. “Food insecurity is a problem that’s always been there, but it’s easily overlooked,” she said. “It’s nice that our school can give back.”
As summer begins, programs like Last Mile’s will become even more vital. For families relying on school meals, these efforts could mean the difference between an empty pantry and a full plate.
— Reported by Nexio News
