A School Food Pantry? Did you know such a thing even existed? I didn't until a few years ago when our school district did a food drive. But this wasn't a a drive for the community food bank. This was a collection for food insecure children in our very own neighborhoods!
After some research, I was appalled to learn that roughly 1 out of 5 children in America don't have enough to eat. And 1 in 9 children worldwide.
School Food Pantry Packs
In answer to this great need to feed the children dubbed “too hungry to learn” the district created a central food pantry system that distributes food as needed to the individual schools. They offer:
Basic Bags – beans, rice, and flour for cooking at home for a family
Dinner Bags – Canned dinners with canned veggies and dessert for a family
Pantry Packs – 4 simple meals and snacks to get a child through the weekend
Snack packs – granola bar, crackers, and juice for a child
Pantry Pack Requests
The Granite Education Foundation is the non-profit organization that runs the school food pantries in our school district. They've compiled a list of pantry pack items that provide a food insecure child 4 meals and several snacks. These are often distributed on Fridays to help children get through the weekend. I've listed their food recommendations here:
If you live in the Granite School District in the Salt Lake Valley and want to get involved you can find all of the information here: Granite Foundation Volunteer Opportunities
If you DON'T, keep reading…
What Can YOU Do?
Now you may be wondering what programs are available in your own school district. Or even if there is a program. Do a quick search and if you don't have a system in place, talk with your Principal and determine the need. If your school is good, ask for a recommendation for other district schools needing help.
Host a Pantry Packing Party
Now that you know the needs in your, or neighboring school districts, go for it and host a packing party of your own!
Last Fall our family hosted a party to put together 36 pantry packs. Many of the bulk boxes come in quantities of 36 and 40. This allows you to create 36 pantry packs with a just few supplies left over. {which I found pretty handy at lunch packing time}
A word of warning – this can get a little more expensive than some service projects.
How to Buy Without Blowing Your Budget
All these food items really add up so my recommendation to you is to invite other families, friends, or organizations to take part in donations on a regular basis. If it's just you, then spread out your buying over several months. One or two extra boxes a month hopefully doesn't blow your budget and in a few months you'll have everything you need.
Assembly Line Set Up
Once you've got all your supplies, get it ready to pack, by organizing an assembly line for the most efficient party. Open all packages and arrange food in an orderly fashion.
Ziploc Packing Tips
When packing start with the largest, heaviest items on the bottom. That'll be your individual microwaveable meals, applesauce, and pudding cups.
Then move on to the softer items like packages of fruit snacks, juice pouches, and oatmeal packets.
Then add the more fragile crackers and granola bars.
Encouraging Words
When the food is all in, finish off your bag with a sweet note of encouragement. My kids made little cards that read “here's a little helping hand” with their handprints {that I hand cut } on the front. You can make something similar , do your own thing, or print off notes to decorate for Blessings in a Backpack.
Lessons Learned
Now that we've done this a time or two, we've learned a few tips that'll help your packing party go a lot more smoothly:
Count out the proper number of items {removing extras} so if you run out or have extra you know a bag is wrong
If children are packing – which I highly encourage – have an adult on quantity control
Place a sticky note with a number 1 or 2 in front of each food type to indicate how many of each item goes in the bag to reduce confusion
Place 8 finished packs in medium sized boxes for easy delivery and distribution, don't let the boxes get too awkward and heavy
Admire Your Handiwork
After all the packing is complete, and bags are double checked, step back and feel proud of what you've accomplished. This represents 36 children that will get through the weekend, maybe ace a spelling test, because of you.
I get so hangry I can't imagine trying to concentrate in class with a rumbling tummy. School food pantry packs may not be a long term solution for these children, but it sure does help them today. And I know that they are grateful. Setting up a school food pantry would definitely help extend this assistance to more children, for a longer term. But where do you even start?
How Do I Start A Food Pantry?
If your school is in need, the best way to start a school food pantry is to coordinate with the School Board, PTA, Principal, and school counselors.
Raise money or have shelving donated to the school
Set up shelving in a store room
Fill shelves by food drives held through PTA activities, or list the need on JustServe.org and open it up to the community
Assemble food bags in Service Club, PTA meetings, or community events
Teachers and counselors distribute food bags as needed
Repeat
It takes time to set up a new system. To get the kinks worked out and have everything run smoothly. But if there's a need, don't wait for a perfect system. Just put some bags together on your own, with a group, or church community and get them to your school.
The hard part is KEEPING the school food pantry full. Working with outside organizations, like Feeding America or Blessings in a Backpack, can help streamline the process.
Partner with Organizations
The first organization,Blessings in a Backpack is located in 45 states and makes sure students in their areas go home with food on Fridays to get them through the weekend. You can find out where they are located in your state HERE.
The other is,Feeding America. This organization is committed to making sure children have the food they need. If you live in the Midwest and East Coast, chances are there's a food bank in your area, {search here to find out} or you can donate online as well.
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Let's Keep Doing GOOD While Having FUN
What organizations and programs do you have available in your area? Do you think your school could benefit from something like a pantry pack drive? Are there any additional resources I could help provide to make it easier for you to host a pantry packing party of your own?
If you do host a packing party, connect with a local food bank, or talk with your school, I'd love to hear your story. Please follow us and tag @partieswithacause on Facebook and Instagram so we can celebrate with you!
Get your Healthy Food Susbstitution List for BEGINNERS
If you're ready to improve your lifestyle and the health of your family, join me in the "Healthy Hostess" movement. Where we serve great food to the people we love. With food that nourishes the body and events that feed the soul. Use this food subtitution list to plan more intentional holidays and gatherings. Collect healthier recipes, less stuff, and more meaningful memories, with me at Parties With A Cause.
You are on your way to Healthier events! One food substitution at a time.
This would be so terrific for our neighbor kids to put together. Thank you for the reminder to keep in mind things we can do right in our own community
This is one of the most important blog posts I’ve read in a long time. No child should go hungry in our country! Thank you for giving us a new way to help make a difference with this problem.
I’m Bri of Parties With A Cause. I’m a mother to three crazy awesome kids, interior designer, & party planning junky. I love reading, globe trotting, and frozen yogurt. And I’m elevating the party experience one cause at a time! Read More
I love it when you share! Please keep in mind that all images and text on this site are property of Parties With A Cause. Feel free to use one or two photos provided that a link back to my original post is included. Please do not remove any watermarks, crop, or edit any of my images without first obtaining written permission from me. All free printables offered are for personal use only. Purchased printables will come with their own terms of use. Pinning is always welcome and appreciated! Thank you!
Grab the Healthy Food Substitutions List for BEGINNERS
If you're ready to improve your lifestyle and the health of your family, join me in the "Healthy Hostess" movement. Where we serve great food to the people we love. With food that nourishes the body and events that feed the soul. Use this food subtitution list to plan more intentional holidays and gatherings. Collect healthier recipes, less stuff, and more meaningful memories, with me at Parties With A Cause.
You are on your way to Healthier events! One food substitution at a time.
It’s a really sweet touch to add a note to each pack
I always love your ideas to give back!!
Love that you’re using your platform to share such inspiration for giving back and helping kids.
I love this got our Girl Scouts Troupe, what a great idea!
This would be so terrific for our neighbor kids to put together. Thank you for the reminder to keep in mind things we can do right in our own community
This is one of the most important blog posts I’ve read in a long time. No child should go hungry in our country! Thank you for giving us a new way to help make a difference with this problem.
Another really thoughtful way to give back!! So important for the kids to learn!!