Parkway West Student Makes Sure Children are Fed During COVID-19

The statewide shutdown of schools as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on children and families that depend on free and reduced-price breakfast and lunches during school days, and while local school districts are making efforts to get nutritious meals into the hands of homebound students, the increased demand and the lack of distribution networks has overwhelmed the resources of many local schools. To help fill the gap during these trying times, Donovan Denham – a sophomore at Parkway West High School – is working to bring food to the families that desperately need it.

Denham, of Ballwin, is the Student Director of St. Louis Food Rescue, a non-profit that collects unsold fresh food and produce from local food retailers and immediately delivers it to food banks and shelters in the St. Louis area. Since late March, when schools across the area were first closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Denham has rescued over 500 pounds of fresh food that would otherwise be thrown away and made more than 15 food drop-offs to shelters and food pantries in the St. Louis area, including the Parkway Food Pantry which services needy families throughout the Parkway School District. His efforts to reduce food waste and ensure pantries are stocked are especially vital now that the Parkway School District’s meal service for its students has been suspended due to risk of Covid-19 exposure.

Denham plans to make many more deliveries between now and the end of summer break to help get healthy, nutritious food to vulnerable students while schools are closed.
"I have always known that the food drop-offs were important, but during this pandemic, I can really see the impact the food we are delivering is having, and it makes me appreciate the opportunity I have to help in this difficult time," said Denham.

To help make a bigger difference and reach more families, Denham recently reached out to WGU Missouri – a nonprofit, online university he frequently volunteers with – to get the
university’s help in distributing food to those in need. As a result of his efforts, WGU Missouri is teaming up with Denham to sponsor several lunches in the coming weeks for the 68 women and children staying at the Gateway 180 homeless shelter, located north of downtown St. Louis. Gateway 180 is one of the area shelters served by Denham and St. Louis Food Rescue.

“When Donovan came to WGU Missouri looking for help with his mission to provide food for area children and families in need, we were more than happy to assist him,” said Dr. Angie Besendorfer, Chancellor of WGU Missouri. “Donovan shares in our values of helping our community and changing lives, and it’s so inspiring to see how devoted he is to serving those in need. Donovan is doing great things, and we are honored to be a part of his activism. We look forward to partnering with him in the weeks to come to serve families at Gateway 180 homeless shelter.”

Denham has been volunteering with St. Louis Food Rescue for 3 years. The organization is devoted to providing volunteer opportunities to teenagers and making community service a part of their lives through weekly pick-ups from generous retail partners that include WholeFoods, Costco and Einstein Brothers Bagels. To learn more or get involved with St. Louis Food Rescue, visit www.stlouisfoodrescue.org/.

About WGU Missouri
WGU Missouri is a competency-based, online university created to expand access to higher education for Missouri residents. The university offers more than 60 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in the fields of business, K-12 teacher education, information technology, and health professions, including nursing. WGU Missouri faculty members provide one-on-one guidance, support, and instruction.
Established through a partnership with nationally recognized Western Governors University, WGU Missouri is open to all qualified Missouri residents. The university is nonprofit and self-sustaining on flat-rate tuition of about $7,000 per year for most programs.
Degrees are granted under the accreditation of Western Governors University, which is accredited through the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). Teachers College programs are accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), and nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE*). More information is available at missouri.wgu.edu or by calling 855.948.8493.
*Western Governors University offers nursing programs that are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 5380, Washington DC 20036, 202-877-6791).

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