Every school needs a food pantry
By Mia Payette
Cans bang against each other, boxes shuffle around the floor and bags crinkle loudly food items are carried out from the University of Arizona’s food pantry. It’s June 7, a hot day in Tucson, and students of all backgrounds leave the pantry relieved that they have food for the week.
Food should be accessible to everyone. One in six children and one in nine Arizonans face hunger according to the Southern Food Bank of Arizona. Food banks are a great resource, but community pantries are helpful, too, because they’re easily accessible to students.
I believe every school should have a food pantry. These pantries can look like rooms with produce, dairy and non-perishable items. The pantries can be similar to the size of a bookshelf that contains food and hygiene items.
Kids in schools often struggle with food insecurity, where they don’t have stable access to food. Having a place to grab food free of judgment is perfect for a school. Students, faculty and staff can grab essential items from the pantry .
Getting food from one of these pantries might not be easy. If there’s no pantry nearby or in an easily accessible place, people won’t be able to utilize them.
As a student at Sahuaro High School, I was unaware we had a food pantry until my librarian told me. Most of the students in that conversation knew nothing about it. Now I can share it with other students in my school.
Teachers and other staff members should share these resources with the students. Word of mouth is the best way to share.
“Hearing it from peers [about the pantry] is like always what, what gets people through the door most,” said Bridgette Riebe, senior coordinator of the University of Arizona’s Basic Needs Center .
There is a stigma around food insecurity. People, and especially kids, may be afraid to speak out and ask for help because of the fear of being judged. If food pantries become more accessible and well known, then people will be able to help themselves and keep their circumstances private.
Sharing the pantries with everyone also opens the door for more donations. Plenty of people would be willing to donate, but they won’t be able to if they don’t know about them.
Having more food pantries in schools will be a big start to overcome the food insecurity problems that are seen in the world today. Donating food and supplies to local pantries is a good way to be involved. Students and parents can ask around school to see if there is a pantry, and if there isn’t, you can try to start one up!
