So Oyako took upon herself to transform the back of her family van into a mobile food pantry delivering food to local needy families.
Later the school – where Oyako works part-time as a para-professional and volunteers 35 hours weekly – adopted her idea for an in-school food pantry.
Her idea then spread throughout the other 22 schools in the 16,800-student district and for that and many other notable generosities Oyako was recently named Lakota’s volunteer of the year.
“Shantelle Oyako is a blessing to Woodland Elementary School and to the entire district,” said Betsy Fuller, spokeswoman for Lakota Schools.
“What started as a food pantry from her car to help our neediest families has led to pantries operating throughout the district. She works tirelessly to help improve inequities that exist in our community,” said Fuller.
The Butler County district’s annual Barb Bossu Award is sponsored by the Lakota District Parent Council was recently presented to her sans the usual annual ceremony due to social distancing precautions brought on by the coronavirus.
Fuller said you can’t help but be inspired by Shantelle’s passion for helping our children and families, making her the perfect recipient for this year’s Barb Bossu district award.
When Oyako got a district official’s phone call with the news, “I was in a state of awe,” she said.
“I have a passion for children,” said Oyako, who started volunteering in 2014.
“Each and every child … and every student deserves the exact same opportunity but there are times when there are gaps in students’ lives and I try to help,” she said.
She does better than trying, said John Wise, principal of Woodland Elementary.
“She has meant the world to our school. Her support and care for our families who need it the most is both necessary and inspiring,” said Wise, who described Oyako as “a high-energy and energetic person” appreciated by teachers, staff and parents.
Oyako said she believes it’s her life mission to help youngsters.
“My job is to open up my cup and pour into them,” she said.
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