Lady Panthers Soccer Team Gives Back In Big Way

The Lady Panthers Soccer Team has created a community outreach project to show their love for our community and school.

Kerry Castillo, head coach of the Lady Panthers Soccer team, had a vision a few years ago after seeing “The Little Free Pantries/Blessing Boxes” and wanted to see how his team could help create something like that in our community.

He says our district does an amazing job providing meals during school breaks as well as through our Backpack Program, however, he wanted to reach even more families. Coach Castillo thought of his own children and how he didn't want anyone to go without if he could help it. 

Coach Castillo has been the Lady Panthers soccer coach for eight years and since then, they have helped raise money, collect coats, and food for various organizations. However, their efforts revolved around a specific time of the year rather than building something sustainable throughout the year. This was the making of their newest project, The Little Free Panther Pantry Program. The program provides pantries around the community filled with food, hygiene items, books, etc. free for anyone in need.

The Lady Panthers Soccer Team is two years into this project and they currently have six pantries. They've also received two grants, a $350 Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market grant and a $1,000 grant from the AR Blue Cross Blue Shield and the Blue and You Foundation to help support the program. The pantries are located at Ward City Hall, Cabot Richie Road, Early Impressions in Austin, Lonoke County Safe Haven Thrift Store in Cabot, the Cabot Pond on Campground/Kerr Road, and Venture Realty Group in Cabot.   

The pantries cost about $100 to fill it up with items and they are stocked monthly. If anyone would like more information about how they can donate items for the pantries, adopt a pantry, or even donate monetary funds, contact kerry.castillo@cps.k12.ar.us or maggie.cope@cps.k12.ar.us. Items needed are canned food, non-perishable foods, books, personal hygiene items, etc.

The Lady Panthers Soccer Team started this project to show the community that they love their school, town, and everyone in the community. Their hope is that they started something the entire community can get involved in.

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— Lady Panther Soccer (@ldypanthersocr) August 12, 2017