Feeding San Diego Wednesday hosted its first School Pantry Program event at Hancock Elementary in Tierrasanta, providing free fresh produce and pantry staples to 150 families.
A partnership between the nonprofit and local schools, the initiative addresses childhood hunger by distributing nutritious food to families twice a month.
The program comes after a 2022 Hancock Elementary survey revealed food insecurity was a top concern for parents, with 98% of the school’s population affiliated with the military.
“We are providing a service to those who are serving our country,” said Abigail Avila, community schools coordinator at Hancock Elementary. “These are families who are on a fixed income and they are in San Diego, one of the most expensive cities in the United States.”
Hancock Elementary was one of over 20 schools in San Diego County currently on the waitlist for Feeding San Diego’s School Pantry Program.
“The effects of child hunger are resoundingly negative and include poor academic performance, increased health problems and developmental differences,” said Sam Duke, director of programs at Feeding San Diego.
The nonprofit is seeking community support through monetary donations to help expand the program and remove more schools from the waitlist this year.
“Every donation makes a difference to kids and families experiencing food insecurity,” Duke said.
To get involved with Feeding San Diego and learn more about its mission, go to feedingsandiego.org.
