Wilson Elementary School organizing a grade-by-grade Fill the Pantry food drive this week to provide weekend meals for students facing food insecurity.
Math Teacher Sabrina Lane said the school uses these weekly food bags to ensure students have snacks and meals when they are not in the building. Lane said the high poverty level at the school creates a significant need.
“Where we’re located, I think people would be surprised to know the high number of students that do not have that food security over the weekend,” Lane said. “We do have a local food pantry that provides for the community but it’s based on income, whereas we do not require anything income-based.”
Lane said teachers identify students who could benefit from the program, including families dealing with job losses or house fires. The school-wide drive is held once per year and is supplemented by monetary donations from community organizations to replenish the shelves.
“We as teachers come up with students that we know could benefit from this, them and their families, whether it be due to they have just lost their job or they’ve maybe had a house fire, even if it’s just temporary,” Lane said. “We try to identify those students and help meet those needs.”
Lane said the school targets specific shelf-stable items because some students may lack access to water or electricity to prepare complex meals. The collection missions for Pre-K through 8th grade include specialized items like granola bars and easy-to-prepare pasta.
“A lot of these students may not have access to water or electricity and so therefore if we have easy items that the kids are able to just go ahead and eat without any extra work, that’s more beneficial for them,” Lane said. “And also some of these items these kids may never get to enjoy a granola bar, and that may be a big thing on their list that they only get that at Christmas, so we can send that and they get a little bit of joy on the weekends.”
Lane said students who are well-fed over the weekend arrive on Monday morning ready for school. The program has already been distributing food weekly this year using items donated by local businesses.
“You can tell a difference in the students,” Lane said. “Once they’re well-rested and well-fed over the weekend then they’re ready for school on Monday.”
Community members can drop off donations at the school office between 7:30am and 4:00pm. Lane said the school also works to provide specific holiday support, including Thanksgiving meals and Christmas dinners, for families in need.
