Innovative Food Locker Fights Hunger! - Parker Elementary, A Community Partnership School

PARKER, FL - Parker Elementary, A Community Partnership School is making a significant stride towards combating hunger in our community. Thanks to a generous grant of $20,000 from the No Kid Hungry program, this initiative is set to enhance access to essential food supplies for students and families in need. This grant, awarded to Children’s Home Society of Florida, brings us halfway to our goal of $38,000, which will enable the addition of a state-of-the-art refrigerated food locker to the food pantry program at Parker Elementary, A Community Partnership School.

Parker Elementary is the first school in Bay County to adopt the Community Partnership Schools™ model with partnerships among Bay District Schools, Children's Home Society of Florida, Gulf Coast State College and PanCare of South Florida Inc.

Founded by the Children’s Home Society of Florida and the University of Central Florida, the Community Partnership Schools™ model engages core partners, collaborating with local nonprofits, businesses, the faith community, and other stakeholders. Together, they operate within schools to tackle crucial barriers to learning, such as food insecurity, poverty inadequate access to affordable healthcare, behavioral health services, among other identified challenges.

The goal of the expanded food pantry is to ensure round-the-clock access to nutritious food, addressing the challenges faced by families with limited resources. Currently, the school-based food pantry operates for only three hours, one day per week, or by appointment, to provide families access to food at no cost. Accessing the existing food pantry during its limited operating hours proves challenging for many heads of families who work irregular hours or have limited transportation options. Recognizing the limitations of the current pantry operation, including restricted hours and lack of refrigeration, CHS, together with our community partners, is committed to transforming the existing model. Inspired by the success of similar programs elsewhere, the goal is to extend access to the pantry 24 hours a day, seven days a week. By utilizing a temperature-controlled community food locker, families will be able to secure nonperishable and perishable food items, that can be requested at any time, providing flexibility and convenience. The simplified process for requesting food ensures a smooth experience for families in need, with lockers replenished after each request. The expanded pantry will not only cater to the needs of the Parker community but also extend assistance to anyone facing food insecurity in the surrounding areas. Leveraging existing partnerships with local food banks and churches, the Community Partnership School is committed to ensuring a steady supply of food to meet the growing demand.

To bridge the financial gap and ensure the success of the expanded pantry, CHS is actively seeking additional monetary donations from generous individuals and organizations who share the commitment to supporting the needs of the community. As hunger continues to rise in our community, it is imperative we join hands to support initiatives like the expanded food pantry program at Parker Elementary, A Community Partnership School. By working together, we can make a meaningful impact and ensure that no one in our community goes hungry. We extend our heartfelt appreciation to everyone involved in this endeavor, from community partners, donors and volunteers to the dedicated staff at Parker Elementary, A Community Partnership School. Together, we can build a stronger, more resilient community where every individual has access to the nourishment they need to thrive. For more information on Children’s Home Society of Florida and the Community Partnership Schools™ model, please visit chsfl.org .