Pantry Program
DC Food Project, in partnership with DC Central Kitchen, is implementing Pantry Programs in schools throughout Washington, DC. This program provides students easy access to non-perishable food and toiletries on an as needed basis. We began this program in November 2021 and it is now supporting over 3000 students throughout 50+ schools in DC, and Arlington, Virginia.
Over the past few years, our team has aimed to reduce food waste in schools while improving access to healthy food for students in DC. In the midst of launching these efforts, one thing that became clear to our team was that more often than not, students coming from homes concerned with food access are also not receiving household and personal care items they need -- something that can become a major stress factor for these children.
Each Pantry is stored on school grounds for easy access to students and families. Items are distributed to students from the school Pantry throughout the school year, with the help of school administrators and are given away free of charge to program participants.
Did You Know?
WHAT IS A PANTRY?
The Pantry Program is designed as a place where students can discreetly get food and items they need, including age appropriate toiletries and other household items.
The Pantry is stored on school grounds for easy access to students and families.
Items are distributed to students from the school Pantry throughout the school year.
Pantry items are given away free of charge to program participants.
WHY A PANTRY?
Conveniently located on-site at schools for students and families in-need.
Pantries can complement existing school breakfast and lunch programs either throughout the school day, when the school day has ended and/or over the weekends.
Provide an easy-to-access location that students can visit discreetly as-needed.
What We Are Hearing From Our Schools…
“Hunger among students during the school day has decreased, students needing snacks during the school day know where to go, and Students/Families know who to reach out to for food resources. They are less stressed about how they will feed themselves and their kids”. - Roosevelt STAY Opportunity Academy
“Our students are definitely less stress, my children know they can come and ask for a snack if the family is experiencing food insecurity. Sometimes the snack is helping to change a mindset from negative thoughts to positive ones. We have utilized some of our whole groups to help bag pantry items while teaching the principals of problem solving world issues, e.g., hunger. The children love to know they are helping. Many children advocate for their families and ask for a bag of pantry items as young as 1st grade. The larger school community are alerted when a distribution occurs and sometimes offer to help distribute which lends to a "healing" and "bonding" activity. - Bruce Monroe ES
“We have been able to provide classroom snacks during the school day, and we have noticed an increase in engagement/energy to be able to engage in their learning. It has also seemed to empower students to communicate their needs if they are hungry and/or their family could benefit from a food bag to inform us of this and/or inquire about the program.”- HD Cooke ES
“Students always have a reliable meal when they get home. Families count on this every month and have told us they didn't know what they would do without it.” - Rocketship Infinity Community Prep
How You Can Make An Impact
Our team aims to double the number of pantries year over year. Help us create a greater impact on the students we support, by making a donation, becoming a sponsor or learning more about what we do:
Consider making a donation today, click HERE
DC Food Project Schools
If you need any additional information or would like to reach us directly please email us at dcfoodproject@gmail.com.