Pantry Packs
We believe in helping kids have a better relationship with food and more focus on their education, not their hunger.
1 in 5 children experiences hunger, unsure of where their next meal is coming from
When children are hungry, they cannot focus in class, putting them behind their classmates. This brings stress and anxiety into the classroom for the student, their peers, and the teacher, impacting the entire learning environment. Some children rely on school for all their meals and may not have access to nutritious food at home over the weekends. Valley of the Sun United Way provides Pantry Packs to 1,500 students in Maricopa County every month during the school year to ensure they and their families have food staples to get them through the month.
The Situation
Thanks to our generous donors, kids have food over the weekend and come to school ready to learn. After we fill plastic bags with the items needed, thanks to the help of our volunteers, we deliver these bags to local schools so they can be taken home in a child’s backpack at the end of the day. Pantry Packs are a way for children in food-insecure homes to discreetly receive meals for their families before leaving school.
Our Goal
Provide Pantry Packs to 1,500 students in Maricopa County every month during the school year.
