LONDON, Ky. — Samantha Johnson and her two sons are feeding children who are staying home from school because of a classroom shutdown caused by the ongoing manhunt for the I-75 shooter suspect Joseph Couch.
"Whenever this came about, he knew that his friends at school struggle while they were at school with snacks," Johnson said. "He was concerned about how his friends were eating while school was out and if they weren't having a meal."
Johnson said her oldest son, 3rd grader Gideon Johnson, had the idea to post a call out on Facebook.
They've served 20 families as of Sunday evening.
"It went above and beyond to what we ever expected," Johnson said.
While some other districts in the area are reopening, Monday will be the 6th day that Laurel County Public School kids and others won't be in the classroom.
Johnson said she'll continue to deliver bags of food, and said thanks to community donations, has not had to turn a family away.
"Their little faces are just planted in the window like it's Christmas morning all for some food that most of us would just take for granted," Johnson said.
She said she feels safe sending her kids back to school, but doesn't think it should be mandatory for everyone.
"In the midst of that maybe we can figure out something with the food situation so we can make sure that all of these kids are getting nutrition delivered while they're at home," Johnson said.
One Laurel County Public School parent is speaking up: he wants to see class in session, even with Couch's fate still unknown.
"Right now, he's winning," Dustin Andes said. "He's getting everything, everyone is still living in fear."
Andes has a middle school-aged daughter. He said he feels safe with the school officers on campus.
For now, he's waiting for answers.
"If they don't have any new updates on this guy, do we not have school all year? Do our children still have to suffer over one man?," Andes said.
In the meantime, the Johnsons will continue to provide food for those in need. It's what Johnson called "a light in the darkness."
Johnson is still taking donations and requests for food. Donations can go to Calvery Baptist Church in London.
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