Westerville City Schools Honored with WARM's Hand Up Award
When the school bell rings on Friday afternoon, most students head home for the weekend. But for more than 1,100 students in Westerville City Schools, Friday also means something else: a bag of food quietly packed for the weekend ahead.
That's the heartbeat of WARM's Share Bac-A-Pac program—and it doesn't happen without a partner willing to show up, week after week, for the kids who need it most.
At WARM's Annual Prayer Breakfast on May 7, Westerville City Schools received the organization's Hand Up Award in recognition of more than a decade of dedicated partnership, compassion, and community leadership.
About the Hand Up Award
Established by WARM in 2010, the Hand Up Award recognizes individuals, businesses, and organizations that have demonstrated exceptional passion and commitment to service and civic participation in the Westerville community. Recipients are recognized for their innovation, initiative, dedication, and compassion. These honorees go above and beyond—serving as an inspiration for others to make a difference.
A Partnership That Grows With the Need
WARM began this school year delivering 850 Share Bac-A-Pac bags every week across the district. Within weeks, that number climbed.
"Today, WARM is delivering over 1,100 bags every single week," said Chad Maxeiner, WARM's Executive Director. "That means more than 1,100 children show up to school on Monday morning a little more ready, a little more secure, and a little more hopeful—because someone made sure they did not go hungry over the weekend."
Since 2015, Westerville City Schools counselors have been on the front lines of that work—identifying students in need, building trust with families, and ensuring the right bag finds the right child. Across the district, that effort now translates to approximately 150,000 meals distributed annually.
But the partnership goes beyond Share Bac-A-Pac. This past year, administrators, teachers, staff, students, PTA members, and school volunteers donated over 6,000 pounds of food to WARM through their annual Food Fight drive. These students aren't just receiving support—they're learning what it means to give it.
More Than a Program
"What has moved us most are the stories," Maxeiner said. "Stories of students receiving a bag of food, yes—but also stories of how that simple act creates a ripple effect. It reaches classmates. It encourages teachers. It strengthens families. It reminds us that when one child is cared for, the whole community is strengthened."
Presenting the award, Sara Acocks, WARM's Director of Development and Fundraising, reflected on what makes this partnership exceptional. "Their counselors are on the front lines—identifying students in need, building trust with families, and quietly making sure that a weekend meal bag finds the child who needs it most. That is not a program. That is care in action."
Accepting the Award
The Hand Up Award was accepted on behalf of Westerville City Schools by Superintendent Angie Hamberg, Director of Student Well-Being Jessie Martin, Board President Kristy Meyer, and Principal of Hawthorne Elementary and WARM Board Member Ernest Clinkscale.
"Westerville City Schools shownus what is possible when a community decides that every child deserves to be nourished, seen, and ready to learn," Acocks said.
WARM is proud to call Westerville City Schools a neighbor, a model, and a partner in ensuring no child in our community goes hungry.