The School Pantry Program is Expanding! Why It’s Needed and How You Can Help

Published On: March 3rd, 2025By Categories: Campaigns, Community Support3.7 min read

According to Feeding America, more than 100,000 children in San Diego County are food insecure. Feeding San Diego’s School Pantry program brings nutritious food directly to where families with children already gather – their local schools. On distribution days, school spaces transform into free farmers’ markets. Parents can pick up nutritious ingredients, like fresh produce and pantry staples, empowering them to create meals that support their children’s growth and development.

To help reduce childhood hunger, Feeding San Diego has committed to operating 100 school pantries in the county by 2030. We’re more than halfway there, but there are still about 30 schools on our waitlist, and that number continues to grow.

Bringing Nutrition Where It’s Needed

Principal Joe Prosapio, “Mr. P” to his students at Berry Elementary School, knows how critical nutrition is for the kids in his community.

“Kids often have the fastest meals, the dollar mac and cheese, and then they’re coming to school without energy, or their brains aren’t functioning properly. When the kids have nutritious food, then they come ready to learn,” he tells us.

A man in a tie stands in front of two pop-up tents

Principal Joe Prosapio at Berry Elementary’s first school pantry

But the reality for so many parents in San Diego is that healthy food simply costs too much.

“Right now, the only thing that we can afford is either junk food or something not that healthy,” said Jessica, a mother with two kids at Berry.

A woman holds a blue Feeding San Diego tote filled with fresh produce

Jessica with a bag of fresh produce

In October 2024, the Berry Elementary School Pantry opened as part of Feeding San Diego’s school pantry expansion. It was one of 17 new school pantries launched at K-12 schools throughout the county last year. Jessica attended the first distribution at Berry and left with fresh fruits and vegetables.

“This is a really great help,” she said. “It’s just a relief to have someone that cares about people that are struggling to make it on their own day by day.”

Building Student Success

Principal Irene Hightower of Hancock Elementary, a Title 1 school in Tierrasanta, was relieved when her school was selected to open a school pantry in 2024.

“Part of the community school’s requirement is that we do a needs and assets survey. We were shocked to find out that so many families were looking for additional food because their pay rate doesn’t always allow them to have food security for the entire month,” she explains.

A woman wearing a blazer

Principal Irene Hightower

The student population at Hancock is approximately 98% military families, and 71% of the families qualify for free and reduced lunch. For Principal Hightower, having the distribution is a critical part of the school’s goal to foster a thriving community.

“Students cannot function if they do not have proper food or proper clothing or proper health resources. So, if a parent can walk to the school and find the resources they need quickly, it makes me feel like the student can be here and be academically, socially, and emotionally successful at school.”

Feeding San Diego recently conducted a survey of schools that are currently participating in the School Pantry Program. 58% of the parents surveyed said their child’s grades have improved, 59% said their child’s attendance had improved, and 80% said their family is eating more fruits and vegetables since receiving food from Feeding San Diego.

How to Support Local Kids and Their Families

Each school on our waitlist has a story like Hancock Elementary’s. If we could, we would open pantries at all 30+ schools on the waitlist today. However, opening a new school pantry is a logistical feat, requiring substantial investment and ongoing support. We are still seeking sponsors to help fund the remaining schools on the waitlist.

Mr. P knows the generosity is out there. “For someone to step up and say, ‘We’ll provide the money it takes to make sure children get good food.’ That’s really what our world needs—more of that.”

March is a great time to support school pantries! Until March 31, every dollar you give to support school pantries will be matched by a generous donor up to $50,000. Give today to help provide nutritious meals to local kids and their families.

To learn more about funding the School Pantry Program expansion, please get in touch with Sandy Rabourne, Director of Development, Major Gifts, at srabourne@feedingsandiego.org.