Portage Middle School is extending its support beyond the classroom with a new free community food pantry right outside the school.
 

The pantry is open to Portage students, families and anyone in the community who may need a little extra help.
 

Its message is simple: “Take what you need, leave what you can.”
 

The pantry is designed to be a welcoming, judgment-free resource where people can find food and essential items or give back when they are able.
 

Created with support from Portage’s City Connects Coordinator, school leadership and Forward Indiana, the pantry has become a team effort, with staff and families helping keep it stocked and a teacher volunteering to paint the cabinet. Community members and organizations can also donate items directly to the pantry or school office.

Study Connection will celebrate 38 years of connecting students with caring adults during its annual Celebration and Recognition Breakfast at 7:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 4, at the Pearl Street Arts Center, 234 Pearl St. The event honors tutors, students and supporters for their dedication and accomplishments during the past school year.

The celebration will feature Gian Paul Gonzalez, best known for inspiring the New York Giants’ Super Bowl run with his “All In” message. Gonzalez is the founder and executive director of Hope + Future, which serves youth in inner-city schools and juvenile detention centers, and serves as chaplain for the New York Giants. His message of showing up and investing in young people reflects the commitment Study Connection tutors make to students each week.

The breakfast will also recognize those who have made an impact through Study Connection. Trinity English Lutheran Church will be honored as Team of the Year. Northcrest Elementary student Brandon Jafeth Gonzalez-Castillo will receive the Don Wolf Outstanding Student of the Year Award. Sayler Hayes, a Fort Wayne Zoo tutor working with a student from Franke Park Elementary School, will receive the Mike McClelland Outstanding Volunteer of the Year Award. Wade Holbrook will receive the Connie Dickey Outstanding Colleague of the Year Award.

Study Connection began in 1989, founded by Don Wolf, retired CEO and president emeritus of Do it Best Corp. Volunteers are matched one-to-one with Fort Wayne Community Schools students who need academic assistance. Students and volunteers meet weekly after school for one hour during the school year, giving students an opportunity to receive extra academic support, build a relationship with a mentor in the community and learn about local career opportunities.

To get involved or to learn more, contact Study Connection or call 467-8811.

For the first time in school history, Snider High School will host events at its own on-campus stadium. Fort Wayne Community Schools will celebrate the historic milestone with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 10, during Snider's Back-to-School Night.

The new 4,400-seat facility features a synthetic turf field, vented rubber track, press box, new concession and restroom facilities and expanded parking. The celebration marks the beginning of new traditions, from Panther athletes competing at home to the Snider Mighty Panthers marching across the iconic scripted Snider logo at midfield.

The new stadium will be named for longtime coach and educator Russ Isaacs, who dedicated nearly five decades to mentoring students, developing leaders and transforming the Snider community.

Fort Wayne Community Schools will host Back-to-School Night at all schools before the first day of school on Wednesday, Aug. 12. These events give students and families an opportunity to meet teachers and principals, ask questions and begin building connections for the 2026-27 school year.

Families can tour the school, drop off supplies, pick up car-rider numbers, get bus information and learn about important routines and expectations for the year.
Back-to-School Night schedule:

Monday, Aug. 10 | 4:30-6 p.m.
•All high schools
•Fort Wayne Virtual Academy

Monday, Aug. 10 | 5-7 p.m.
•All elementary schools
•Bunche Montessori Early Childhood Center
•Whitney Young STEAM Early Childhood
•Towles Intermediate School

Tuesday, Aug. 11 | 4:30-6:30 p.m.
•All middle schools