These are just a few of the volunteers and staff members who worked behind the scenes to successfully launch the new AUSD/ATA Community Food Pantry on August 7, 2024.
In partnership with the Alhambra Teachers Association, the District’s Student Support Services division, and MANY community and non-profit organizations, AUSD is excited to announce the launch of a brand new community food pantry. The addition of this food pantry will enable our schools to support their struggling families and ensure students do not go hungry.
During the summer months, an army of volunteers (including students from Alhambra and Mark Keppel High Schools) sorted, filled, and organized shelves. They held a kick-off event on August 7 that included the distribution of food, backpacks, and school supplies to invited families.
Throughout the year, schools will reach out to families who might benefit from the Community Food Pantry. School community coordinators, counselors, and other staff members will gather bags of food from the central location and then distribute the bags to the identified families at their schools.
“We know healthy children learn better. If students are hungry, they can’t concentrate on what is being taught in class and they can’t focus on studying at home,” explains Lindsey Ma, assistant superintendent of Student Support Services. “Helping to meet the basic needs of our most vulnerable families benefits the individual students, their families, and the entire school community.”
We are grateful to the many volunteers who helped to sort supplies, organize the shelves, and fill bags. The food pantry is always happy to accept monetary and in-kind donations. To make a donation, please call 626-289-1933 to make arrangements.
