Reagan High School is taking steps to feed students and families in need with their new food pantry, and they’re asking their wider community for help.
The idea for the pantry came up a few months ago. Physical Education Teacher Natalie Layden says that she tries to keep a supply of snacks for her students in case they ever need them, and that it was becoming clearer that a large number of students were coming to school hungry. They weren’t just forgetting their snacks for the day at home – some of them didn’t have enough food in the house to keep them full throughout the day.
“It definitely showed us how many of our kids need more to eat,” Layden said. “We knew we definitely needed to do something.”
Students are now able to fill out a Google form to apply for help from the pantry. They’re assigned a number so that they can remain anonymous as volunteers create a grocery package for their families to pick up via drive thru. Families generally go home with about a week and half worth of meals, not just for the student, but for every member of their household. The distribution is primarily run by students in Reagan’s Occupational Course of Study Program, allowing students to take initiative in helping each other.
In its first few months, the pantry has collected about $1,000 worth of donations for the pantry, but they’re pushing to get those numbers up during their food drive this month. They also encourage community members to keep donating year-round so that they can expand their operations. They currently distribute food once every other week but would prefer to shift to a weekly schedule. With enough supplies, they hope they can eventually also aid neighboring elementary and middle schools.
“We’ve got some schools nearby that we want to help as well, but right now it’s just a matter of inventory,” Layden said. “Hopefully, it gets bigger.”
While it’s still on a small scale for now, Layden says the pantry is already making a big difference. The hopefulness of this civic minded approach is changing some beneficiaries’ entire outlook, and the students who contribute their talents to the pantry are learning firsthand that their actions can affect positive change. She couldn’t be more thankful to everyone who has made this effort possible.
“It’s one of those things where you don’t realize just how big of a deal it is until it happens,” Layden said. “You’d think you just gave some of these kids $1 million, they’re so appreciative… it makes my heart happy.”
Donations to the food pantry can be delivered to Reagan High School at the front office or the gym. All food and personal hygiene products are accepted, so long as they aren’t packaged in glass.