Feeding San Diego's School Pantry Program: Nourishing Minds and Families in Military Communities

In the bustling city of San Diego, where the cost of living can be daunting, a school-based food pantry program is making a significant impact on the lives of military families. Reanna Van Dyke, a supervisor at Hancock Elementary School, shares her family's experience with the sticker shock of relocating from Texas, and how the school community has rallied to support them through challenging times.

Bridging the Gap: Providing Accessible Nutrition for Military Families

The Cost of Living Disparity

Reanna Van Dyke's family found themselves facing a stark reality upon moving from Texas to San Diego. The cost of living, particularly for everyday essentials like a Little Caesars pizza, had skyrocketed. "In Texas, it was $6, but here in San Diego, it's $11.47," Van Dyke shared, highlighting the significant financial strain that military families can experience when relocating to areas with a higher cost of living.

The Importance of Community Support

Despite the challenges, Van Dyke expressed gratitude for the unwavering support of the Hancock Elementary School community. "This school community has been there for us through lots of different hardships," she said, underscoring the vital role that schools can play in providing a safety net for military families.

Addressing Food Insecurity

Recognizing the need for additional support, Hancock Elementary School has taken a proactive step by establishing a food pantry on campus. Abi Avila, the school's community school site coordinator, explained that the decision was based on a survey conducted two years ago, which revealed that many families were struggling with food security. "We found that a lot of our families found food security to be difficult," Avila said, "They wanted more snacks in the classroom and they wanted food resources for them to use at home."

The Impact of the School Pantry

The food pantry at Hancock Elementary has made a tangible difference in the lives of the students and their families. Van Dyke praised the quality and variety of the items provided, noting that it was "a mix of things that kids actually eat and want to eat," rather than just a collection of canned goods. This thoughtful approach to the pantry's offerings has helped to reduce the stigma often associated with seeking food assistance, as families can access the resources in a familiar and trusted environment.

Expanding the Reach of School Pantries

Hancock Elementary is not the only school in San Diego County taking steps to address food insecurity. Feeding San Diego, the organization that partners with the school, now distributes food at 44 schools in the county, with more than 30 others on the waitlist. The demand for these school-based pantries has been steadily increasing, with eight new applications received in the last two months alone.

Overcoming Barriers to Food Assistance

One of the challenges faced by military families in accessing food assistance programs is the way their housing allowance is counted as income when applying for CalFresh. Advocates with the San Diego Hunger Coalition have called for this to be exempted, as it can prevent many military families from qualifying for the much-needed benefits.

The Cost of Sustaining School Pantries

Maintaining a school pantry is not without its financial considerations. Feeding San Diego estimates that it costs approximately $30,000 to run a school pantry for a year. To take the remaining schools off the waitlist, the organization would need more than $670,000 each year, highlighting the significant investment required to ensure that all schools in need can provide this vital resource to their communities.In conclusion, the school-based food pantry program in San Diego is a shining example of how communities can come together to support military families and address the issue of food insecurity. By providing accessible and nutritious food resources, these pantries are not only nourishing bodies but also fostering a sense of community and belonging for those who have sacrificed so much in service to their country.