BRIDGEPORT – The Puppy Pantry at Bridgeport Exempted Village School District is once more a ready resource to assist students who need some extra help throughout the school year. This year, the initiative got additional support of a $2,000 grant through AEP Ohio Foundation from American Electric Power to help ensure kiddos do not go hungry.
Education Management Information System Coordinator and Homeless Liaison Andrea Criswell said in prior years the Puppy Pantry had assisted students who needed food and hygiene supplies but had been inactive until the district restarted the program last school year to give all Bulldogs access to another resource for themselves and their families.
“They can come here and we can help them,” she said. “This’ll be our second year.”
Criswell heard about the possibility of the grant assistance in May from Frank Baldwin, Business Services Account Manager with AEP.
“He reached out to me and told me about the AEP Ohio Foundation Grants. These grants help non-profits with activities to help the community,” she said. “They were committing about $100,000 to support school-based food pantries and care closets.”
She said Bridgeport Schools’ work on the students’ behalf made the district a prime candidate.
“Back in May, I went ahead and applied online for the grant and told them all about our Puppy Pantry, let them know about our population of free and reduced direct certified students here and told them our district would be a perfect district for the grant to come to, because we have a lot of kids in need.”
Bridgeport Schools was awarded the funds on Aug. 14. Criswell said this was the first time receiving the grant. It will be a big help.
“That $2,000, that I think will take us well into the school year to cover hygiene supplies if needed but definitely food items.”
The pantry is stocked with nonperishable supplies. Hygiene items are kept in the nurse’s office while the food is in the pantry located in the middle school/high school conference room. Criswell said students made use of the service.
“We had quite a few. There are some students who we know who definitely use it on a frequent basis. They come in weekly, and then there’s some students who may from time to time have a hard situation at home with not having enough food. They may feel embarrassed and don’t want to tell us. We don’t judge; we are here to help.” she said. “The Puppy Pantry is here for them to come at any time and grab a snack or something to take home with them.”
Criswell said the Puppy Pantry is open and provides supplies throughout the school year. Demand was high in 2025-2026 and she expect similar use through the 2026-2027 school year.
“Last year, I was refilling it every couple of weeks,” Criswell said.
She said Bridgeport Schools is a Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) District, which provides free breakfasts and lunches to all students.
“Our district is definitely trying to help all students in need,” she said. “Our lunch and breakfast counts have gone up tremendously. We’ve had more kids eating now than ever before, which is huge. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so if you’re getting these kids fed and we’re able to feed them, that in turn keeps them engaged in learning.”
Meanwhile, the Puppy Pantry also benefits from the community’s generosity.
“We continue to seek donations for our Puppy Pantry to offer those resources to our students. Whatever we can do to try and help our students come to school and have one less worry as far as food and hygiene go, is what we are going to do.”
Anyone wishing to donate to the Puppy Pantry can contact Criswell at 740-635-0853, ext. 1060.
