Life Science Cares Partners with Feeding San Diego to Establish New School Pantry at Encanto Elementary for Families Facing Rising Food Insecurity
Life Science Cares granted the hunger relief and food rescue nonprofit $50,000 to support the new pantry, which will provide nutritious food to 200 households during the school year and upcoming summer months
Before the school year lets out, Encanto Elementary will offer a new resource to families by opening a Feeding San Diego School Pantry on its campus, thanks to generous funding from the San Diego chapter of Life Science Cares. The nonprofit, a collective effort of the local life sciences industry to reduce the impact of poverty in the San Diego community, has committed a total of $150,000 to Feeding San Diego to support the School Pantry program, with $50,000 specifically for Encanto Elementary to be taken off the waiting list and provide nutritious groceries on its campus for students and families. 93.9% of enrolled students at the school qualify for free or reduced-price meals, signaling a high need within the community.
Since 2022, Feeding San Diego has been actively expanding its School Pantry Program, which targets childhood hunger by providing nutritious food to kids enrolled in Title 1 schools across the county. This 2025-26 school year, with the help of generous donors, Feeding San Diego added 14 school pantries to the program and is now operating at 76 schools across San Diego County. Depending on the number of students in need, each pantry costs a different amount to operate. Encanto Elementary will serve 200 households monthly.
According to a recent survey conducted by Feeding San Diego with School Pantry Program recipients, the population served is large and multigenerational. The average household size is 4.6 people, 90% include children, and 61% include someone 60+. San Diego’s military community is also well-represented. Around 85-87% of respondents in recent years have reported eating more fruits and vegetables, and 85% have been preparing more meals at home.
“At Life Science Cares San Diego, we know children can’t learn when they’re hungry—and lasting change starts with meeting families’ basic needs. The Encanto Elementary school pantry is a powerful, tangible investment that helps students come to school ready to learn and thrive. We’re proud to support this work and partner with Feeding San Diego to expand its impact across the county,” said Alicia Kitagawa, executive director of Life Science Cares San Diego.
The non-profit has been delivering nutritious groceries directly to students and families as high inflation, fuel prices, and economic uncertainty continue to impact kids living in low-income households. According to Feeding America, San Diego County has over 100,000 children experiencing hunger. Even with the program’s continued growth, 66 schools are still waiting to open their own pantries with Feeding San Diego.
“We’ve remained focused on expanding this proven program and are encouraged by the progress made with the support of generous partners like Life Science Cares,” said Ali Colbran, senior director of development and institutional giving at Feeding San Diego. “Their time, funding, and advocacy will help ensure children and families at Encanto Elementary have access to nutritious food nights, weekends, and throughout the summer.”
In addition to granting funds to Feeding San Diego, Life Science Cares also hosts a food drive and volunteer activation every summer to further support. They also message about Feeding San Diego to their members, ensuring education and advocacy within a motivated group able to support charity work.
A ribbon-cutting at the distribution at Encanto Elementary will take place on Friday, May 15, at 2 p.m., with leaders from both organizations in attendance.
