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District describes school food pantry operations; administration open to expanded hours with volunteer support
Summary
Administrators reported the district food pantry serves families biweekly and can accommodate referrals; they said expanding open hours (including weekend hours) is possible but would require volunteers or additional staff and supply support.
District administrators updated the committee on the East Providence school food pantry, which provides supplemental food bags to families every two weeks and partners with outside organizations and the Career and Technical Center's culinary program to supply prepared meals.
Administrators said the pantry currently serves between nine and twelve families every two weeks (administration cited a range) and families can request assistance by contacting the school office, social worker or the district pantry coordinator, Stacy Messia. Administrators said they try to avoid creating stigma: communications about the pantry and contact information appear in each school's parent newsletter.
Committee members asked whether the pantry could open set public hours so families could visit without advance sign-up. Administration said they have tried open hours in the past but volunteer and staffing limitations limited attendance; they welcomed volunteer offers and said they will explore weekend or Saturday hours if additional support and supply streams are available.
The pantry receives periodic deliveries from We Share Hope, a Stop & Shop grant, and food drives; administrators noted deliveries pause during the summer and discussed seeking partners to sustain summer distribution.
No formal vote or new funding was proposed; administrators said they would pursue volunteer support and further partnerships to consider expanding hours.
