We are moving into out sixth year of the Food Lifeline School Pantry program at Northgate Elementary School.
Northgate Elementary is a Title 1 school with 70% of the students eligible for free and reduced meals and more than 20 languages spoken. In this particular community, many students and their families are experiencing homelessness. With such difficult circumstances, this food has made a huge impact for these families.
“The first time I was here I thought this is what Christmas really should be like, because everyone is just so joyous and happy,” says Northgate Elementary School Secretary, Kea-Swartz Ireland.
Since the program launched in 2013, Food Lifeline has provided around 475,500 meals to the students and families at Northgate. Last year, the average attendance at distributions was 91% of the school population. Students are proud to bring home nutritious groceries each month to help out their families. Because everyone in the school is eligible to attend, there is no stigma about getting the food.
How can you help?
Volunteering at school pantries is a fun volunteer activity for individuals and corporate groups. If your group would like to be put on the list for next school year, please contact Leah Stoller.
In the words of a one of our most recent volunteers, “It is really impactful, a great thing to have.”
Thanks again to First Tech Financial Credit Union for supporting our School Pantry this year and ensuring that Hunger Doesn’t Have To Happen.
