According to the Mercer County Food Bank, many children in the county are depending on their schools to get more than just an education. “Some of that is because of SNAP cuts and the pause on SNAP, but some of it too is just, it’s an increased need,” said Alexis Spence-Locke, director of development at the MCFB. “The cost of groceries [is] growing exponentially, and honestly, children are becoming our largest subset of individuals who need help.” Spence-Locke told 21 News that of the 13,128 students in Mercer County — across all schools, public and private — 6,702 of them visited a school food pantry in November. That adds up to 51%, which Spence-Lock said is the highest the food bank has seen. One of those school food pantries is located inside Sharon High School. Lisa F

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