No Child Goes, Hungry, Inc. (NCGH) is pleased to support Luther Jackson Middle School with a donation to the school food pantry.
“During the school year, we hold open pantry hours every Wednesday where families can come and collect pre-packed bags of shelf-stable pantry supplies and select from a variety of produce and other grocery items as they become available,” said Jenna von Elling, Luther Jackson Middle School PTA Chair Person. “We support around 30 families weekly during pantry hours and another 10 to 15 families through backpacks sent home with students in need. This summer, we will host pantry hours on Sundays in the hope that more families will be able to participate.”
The pantry’s organizers obtain food items from the following sources:
- Food for Neighbors Red Bag community food drives, which occur five Saturdays during the school year
- Large weekly donations from Target and FreshFarm Market, both facilitated by the school’s partnership with Food Rescue US DC.
- Generous donations from community donors, which include private foundations, churches, and individual PTA donors, allowing organizers to purchase additional food from the Capital Area Food Bank and area grocery stores
“Each of these sources requires volunteers to collect and move large amounts of food into our pantry weekly,” said von Elling. “Other students and community volunteers help break down and re-package the food into bags and boxes for our families. Distribution days are coordinated and staffed by a dedicated group of parents and teachers.”
Kären Rasmussen, No Child Goes Hungry Founder and Director, says she is pleased to support a school-based hunger relief program close to her home and NCGH’s center of operations.
“Luther Jackson Middle School is only about a mile from my home,” said Rasmussen. “I recently had an opportunity to visit the school on a food distribution day and was exceptionally impressed by the efficiency and impact of the pantry and the compassionate leaders who keep it operational.”
von Elling says that there are several benefits to operating a pantry on school grounds:
“Pantries remove hunger, eliminating a barrier to student learning. Pantries also provide much-needed support while families integrate or stabilize themselves economically. Pantries can also help families establish and foster a connection with the school. Finally, participation helps families transition to being a part of the school community, offering a critical opportunity for the members of our school community to support one another.”
Those who want to continue supporting the Luther Jackson Middle School Food Pantry are encouraged to consider the following:
Let’s feed some kids!