In Upper Manhattan, nestled beside a public housing complex, lies P.S. 5 Ellen Lurie, a Title 1 elementary school where a significant portion of the students come from immigrant families. Many of these families experience overcrowded living conditions and struggle with food insecurity. Since its inception, the school has been keenly aware of the need for hunger relief among its students, with a staggering 75% qualifying for free or reduced-cost lunch.
From the outset, Amanda Barnes, a paraprofessional from P.S. 5 Ellen Lurie, knew that addressing food insecurity was crucial for the well-being of her students. This realization grew more pressing as the pandemic led to increased hardships within the community. In her search for solutions, she discovered No Child Goes Hungry. She connected with our founder and director, Kären Rasmussen, whose commitment to providing hunger relief and support without judgment made her the perfect partner for the school.
With the first round of funding received in the 2020-2021 school year, P.S. 5 Ellen Lurie established a pantry that initially supported 10 to 20 students each week. As the need grew, the pantry’s impact expanded, eventually supporting around 60 to 70 students and their families weekly at its peak. Although the number of families has slightly decreased recently, the pantry still provides for approximately 30 students each week. Barnes credits her ongoing collaboration with No Child Goes Hungry for the pantry’s success, as Kären’s unwavering support has made a significant difference in students’ lives.
Since the initial partnership and pantry establishment, No Child Goes Hungry has continued to support the school annually with additional donations.
“Partnering with No Child Goes Hungry has been a game-changer for our school,” said Barnes. “Kären’s organization not only provided the much-needed funding but also offered moral support without judgment. Her genuine dedication to ensuring children have food outside of school is truly inspiring.”
Kären Rasmussen highlights the importance of such collaborations.
“Requests for funding and supplies to support school pantries are increasing. At No Child Goes Hungry, we recognize the challenges faced by families today, from high food costs to unemployment. It’s heartening to see teachers, faith-based leaders, and community heroes stepping up to support students. I’m proud to partner with P.S. 5 Ellen Lurie and help make a meaningful difference in the lives of many of their students.”
Looking ahead, Barnes hopes to expand the pantry’s offerings by regularly including hygiene and toiletry products. She also envisions scaling operations if the need among families grows.
Contact us at No Child Goes Hungry to learn more about starting a food pantry in your community. Together, we can ensure no child goes hungry.
Let’s feed some kids!