Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools and Second Harvest Food Bank have kicked off a new partnership to create food pantries at area public schools. An announcement of the partnership was held on February 16, 2021 at Andrea B. Williams Elementary School. The school food pantries will stock basic food stuffs, staples and non-perishable items. Second Harvest Food Bank will furnish and maintain the pantries. Food will be distributed to families in need as identified by school personnel.
“Food insecurity is a very real concern for so many of our students and families," said Dr. Ann Levett, Superintendent of schools. “The primary goal of these food pantries is to address the nutritional needs of students and fill that gap when possible. Providing this service goes to the very heart of caring for our students. This food pantry will serve our school families as well as families near the school. This is what caring for our community means."
Mary Jane Crouch, Executive Director of Second Harvest Food Bank agreed. “We are so excited about this program. Food pantries in schools help us to get close to the problem of hunger in a tangible way. Sadly, hunger may impact a child's school performance. Children need nutrients so they can grow, develop and focus on learning instead of thinking about having enough to eat. Ultimately, they need to be able to concentrate on schoolwork so they can succeed in school and be prepared to enter the workforce as adults."
Food pantries will be available at the following schools:
Andrea B Williams Elementary School
Myers Middle School
School of Liberal Studies@ Savannah High School
Mercer Middle School
Shuman Elementary School
Garden City Elementary School
Juliette Low Elementary School
DeRenne Middle School
Port Wentworth Elementary School
May Howard Elementary School
Pooler Elementary School
JG Smith Elementary School
Windsor Forest Elementary School
Beach High School
Groves High School
Johnson High School
New Hampstead High School
Windsor Forest High School
Southwest Middle School
West Chatham Middle School
Building Bridges High
Building Bridges Middle
Coastal Georgia Comprehensive Academy
See more photos from the announcement here.
