Kids can be eating machines at times. Put a bowl of apples on the table, or open a bag of chips, and the next thing you know, you have nothing but apple cores and crumbs left. Growing kids need three meals and one or two snacks a day, so it can seem like their bellies are never full.

Although kids need plenty to eat to stay healthy and learn well in school, not all children are able to get enough food. Money might be stretched thin at home, forcing parents to choose between paying bills and putting food on the table. In Utah, more than 500,000 people are facing hunger, including one in five children. Here’s how an in-school food pantry is helping kids get the nutrition they need.

Lakeridge Junior High Food Pantry

Inna Solomeina has three school-aged kids, and she wanted to help out at their schools. She realized that students were often hungry and had no way of getting adequate meals at home, so she helped organize a food pantry through the PTA at Lakeridge Junior High in Orem. Solomeina, a native of Ukraine, said people in other countries often don’t realize that even children in the United States go hungry. She said nothing hurts her more than knowing some children don’t have the resources to get enough food.

Since opening two years ago, the food pantry has helped many students, but it has a limited budget. Solomeina says the community is supportive and helps with donations. The food pantry has an Amazon wish list for donations, and community members and parents at the school help to fill needs. Donations declined during 2020 due to COVID-19, but the food pantry connected with Community Action Services and Food Bank for help. Community Action Services has been able to give the food pantry Kids Nutrition Paks to help more students. The pantry is restocked as often as food is available, ensuring that no child goes hungry on their watch.

Kids Nutrition Paks

Kids Nutrition Paks are pre-filled bags of food that students can take and prepare on their own. Each bag contains seven items: an entree, juice, a granola bar, dried fruit, crackers, a fruit pouch, and fruit snacks. Community Action Services and Food Bank prepares more than 1,400 Nutrition Paks each week for kids, including students at Lakeridge.

Solomeina says students are encouraged to grab a Pak from her office at least once a week, but the food is always available to anyone who needs it. One mother came to the school needing food for her six kids. When she asked how often she could take food for her family, she was told she could come whenever she needed.

Solomeina says she hopes everyone knows there is no limit on how much help a person can receive. The food, as well as some clothing and hygiene items, are available any time someone may need it.

Reaching Out to Kids

There are always children who need to grab food from the Lakeridge food pantry. At times, there have been up to 50 students standing in line to get a snack or meal.

Despite the need, some kids might feel self-conscious about taking food when they need it. According to Solomeina, the school works hard to encourage anyone who needs food to take some. Often, a student will come into the office with someone they know who might need a snack. Grabbing some food with the other student helps put students at ease and fight embarrassment.

With the help of Community Action Services and Food Bank and support from the community, the Lakeridge Junior High food pantry has helped feed kids daily. The food pantry gives kids the resources to feed themselves so they never feel hungry and helpless. If you are interested in helping fill Kids Nutrition Paks, visit http://communityactionprovo.org/how-to-help/ or make a monetary donation, noting that you’d like the money to go toward packs.

Tom Hogan is the COO of Community Action Services and Food Bank in Provo. CASFB is located at 815 S. Freedom Blvd., Ste. 100. For more information on educational programs, how to make donations, upcoming classes, food drives and more, visit http://communityactionuc.org or call (801) 373-8200.

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