Feeding San Diego hosted its inaugural School Pantry Program event at Hancock Elementary School in Tierrasanta, offering fresh produce and essential pantry items to 150 families. This initiative, created in collaboration with local schools, aims to combat childhood hunger by providing nutritious food twice a month to families in need.
The program’s introduction followed a 2022 survey conducted at Hancock Elementary, which highlighted food insecurity as a primary concern among parents, with 98% of the student population coming from military families.
“We are offering vital assistance to those who serve our country,” said Abigail Avila, the community schools coordinator at Hancock Elementary. “Many of these families rely on fixed incomes while living in San Diego, one of the most costly cities in the country.”
Hancock Elementary is one of over 20 schools in San Diego County on the waitlist for Feeding San Diego’s School Pantry Program. The negative effects of child hunger, including diminished academic performance and health challenges, underscore the importance of expanding this effort.
Sam Duke, director of programs at Feeding San Diego, emphasized the need for community involvement: “Every donation can help remove schools from the waitlist and make a difference for children and families facing food insecurity.”
