This spring we launched two satellite pantries at Sleeping Giant Middle School and Park High School. These pantries aim to combat hunger among students, providing essential access to nutritious food during school days, weekends, and evenings when they might otherwise go without.

Unlike the Backpack Buddies program, which serves elementary schools, our in-school pantries respect older students' autonomy by allowing them to choose the food they prefer. Each pantry is stocked with minimally processed, scratch-made soups, peanut butter, jam, and hummus from our Community Kitchen, as well as preservative-free bread from our Community Bakery. Additionally, students have access to fresh fruit, breakfast items, pantry staples, hygiene products, and school supplies.

The impact of these pantries has been immediate and profound. Within just the first two days of the Ranger Station (the high school pantry) being open, there were 281 visits, with the largest outgoing food package weighing 23.8 pounds. One student shared, “When I’m at school, I’m starving, and now I don’t have to be.”

The success of these pantries would not have been possible without the incredible partnership between school administration and the National Honor Society students. Their dedication and collaboration have been instrumental in bringing this vision to life.

We are deeply grateful for the support of our community and partners as we work together to ensure no student goes hungry!