TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG) – A founder of a local organization is rallying support to make sure students get food over the summer.
ElSondra DeRomano, the founder of STARS Toledo, tells 13abc that some students rely on the school’s breakfast and lunch programs because they may not have meals waiting for them at home.
“They need to eat. And they’re too proud to say, ‘Aunt, I need something to eat.’ I have to work it out of them by being around them,” DeRomano says. “I’ll actually give people a box of food. The parents can come and they will actually get a meal. Don’t ask me what it should be, because I don’t know. But they will be able to take a meal home. If there are seven people in the family and they say they have seven, that’s what they walk away with.”
For years, DeRomano has served the local community through giveaways such as coat drives and donating Thanksgiving meals. However, DeRomano can no longer carry this burden alone as she is still recovering from life-changing surgery.
“I had a life-changing operation that would have left me paralyzed, dead or partially paralyzed. But God, look at me now. Move around and I’m out here. But I can’t do it anymore like I used to. I can’t lift over a pound,” DeRomano says. “Anyone who knows me knows I was on that truck no matter what. I was about to blow my ass no matter what. It hurts me that I can’t do it now. Now I need people to help me.”
If any person or organization would like to help EleSondra’s efforts, click here to contact STARS Toledo.
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