CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Summer is the beginning of fun and freedom for students, but for some of those who experience food insecurities it can be a tough time.
Local school districts are partnering with organizations like the Coastal Bend Food Bank to make sure students have access to food even after the final school bell rings.
One of those initiatives began with the grand opening of West Oso ISD's "Grace's Pantry," which, according to Communities In School Chairman Anne Matula, is a food pantry that will give students access to nutritious and quality foods over the summer months.
"Throughout COVID, so many families who had never experienced loss of employment or food insecurity have unfortunately experienced that," Matula said. "Our goal in communities in schools is for children to stay in school and graduate. So, we are here to help those parents but most of all help these students."
Michael Rodriguez with the CBFB said this is hopefully the start to more food pantries in our area because access to nutritious meals is vital to student’s success in school.
"I’m glad West Oso opened their food pantry as of today that was an exciting moment for us," Rodriguez said. "And we are working on other schools hopefully Flour Bluff ISD to open something soon. We are working on Robstown ISD."
According to Rodriguez, along with the food pantries, they also plan to partner with the YMCA and Boys and Girls Club to offer food back packs this summer.
"The boys and girls will have three locations that will hand out our backpacks on Friday to any student that attend these clubs," said Rodriguez.
Rodriguez says the YMCA will be visiting local school districts to provide these backpacks at their summer school sessions to those in need.
“The backpacks are for the weekend consumption, Friday through Monday enough to get them through the weekend," Rodriguez said.
The pantry will be located at JFK Elementary within the West Oso School District.
"We want to remove any barriers for kids and have them concentrate in class and not to think about where their meals are coming from," said Samantha Garibay who is a Communities in Schools site coordinator at the school.
The room is set up just like a grocery store and includes canned goods, fresh produce, and even an icebox full of frozen meat.
Superintendent Conrado Garcia said the pantry will provide quality and nutritious food every month throughout the summer and the school year for students and their families who might need a helping hand.
"Right in the heart of the community and so many of our people have struggled finding food in this pandemic, lost their jobs or the means to have regular groceries in their house," said Garcia.
The district superintendent said It is only fitting that it has been named Grace's Pantry.
"Because grace to me means peace, love, and security and we are here to help," said Garcia.
The district was approached by Communities in Schools to start the pantry. The food was funded through an anonymous donor and there is also support coming from the Coastal Bend Food Bank.
Garibay said she gets what many of the kids are going through who show up to class unable to learn because of an empty stomach.
"I was a Communities in Schools student, so I understand the barriers and struggles a student can deal with at a young age," said Garibay.
She said parents who would like to utilize the food pantry will need to call one of their communities in schools coordinators or just reach out to the school for an appointment.
For the latest updates on coronavirus in the Coastal Bend, click here.
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