Kennewick SD starts Second Harvest partnership, keeps food pantry for students in need - KEPR 19

Kennewick SD starts Second Harvest partnership, keeps food pantry for students in need - KEPR 19

by Marie Schurk, Cody Proctor

From left, Kennewick School District staff members Sarah Del Toro and Kelly Bolson fill a food box from the district’s food pantry to be delivered to a school. Schools can request supplies from the food pantry to help students in need. (Photo: KSD)

KENNEWICK, Wash. - A local school district is stocking food for students who are at risk of going hungry.

The Kennewick School District (KSD) recently started a new partnership with Second Harvest that allows them to receive regular deliveries, something district leaders said is helping build strong relationships between students, schools and families.

School leaders said nearly half of the students at KSD receive free or reduced-price meals at school.

According to Second Harvest, about 1 in 5 children face food insecurity.

The KSD food pantry was established in the 2016-17 school year. Kennewick police and firefighters raised $1,500 when they went head to head in a charity basketball game.

Now the proceeds will be put into a Second Harvest account, to help buy the school needed items.

While the donation helped, the district needed more support to keep the pantry stocked, according to a press release.

The district contacted nonprofit Second Harvest about making regular donations to their food pantry. Second Harvest responded to the request, taking the opportunity to serve more local students.

Second Harvest lets schools know when the pantry is stocked. District leaders said the nonprofit fills the pantry with requested items such as non-perishable food and fresh produce such as apples, onions and potatoes.

School staff is then able to picks up item from the Administration Center and distribute to kids who need it.

According to Cascade Elementary school counselor Katy Koelzer, having food on hand for students can make a big difference.

"Just to see the look on the student's face, like, 'Oh! I can have a Clif bar,’ or ‘Oh my gosh! I get food over the weekend!’ Just brightens my day to know that I can support them and I know that they're safe, at least food wise, throughout the weekend and throughout their days."

"If a kid is hungry, it's hard to focus. It's hard to think. And so we know that when they're fed, ¦when they're feeding their brains too, that they're going to have better success at school," says Second Harvest community impact director Michelle Roth.