Feeding San Diego expanded its School Pantry Program in 2024, opening its 10th site of the year to provide nutritious groceries to students.
The program provides pantry staples and fresh produce once or twice a month at what officials hope is a convenient and trusted location for families in need.
The nonprofit hosted its first food distribution at Feaster Charter School in Chula Vista this month ahead of the three-week winter break.
Timing the distribution to the break, Feeding San Diego said in a news release, helps children who wouldn’t have access to the breakfast, lunch and snacks usually provided at school. It also takes the burden off parents who otherwise might have difficulty serving up so many more meals per child.
The school, where 80% of students are considered low-income, was on the agency’s wait list for more than a year to join the pantry program.
In addition, Feaster has seen an influx of families that lack shelter – about 60 such families are part of the school community.