Chesterfield, Virginia - September 30, 2024—The Chesterfield Food Bank Outreach Center (CFBOC) has launched a new School Pantry Program alongside Chesterfield County Public Schools (CCPS) and Brightpoint Community College to provide food assistance for students in need, even when they are not in school.
The Virginia Department of Education Office of School and Community Nutrition Programs reports the number of students who qualify for free or reduced school lunches has risen to 52% in 2024 from 46% in 2023 and the number is continuing to rise. The need for food assistance for students is overwhelming and CFBOC designed their School Pantry Program to address this need.
The Pilot School Pantry Program with CCPS is driven by CFBOC staff and volunteers who stock essential food and personal items at pantries in the schools, ready to be distributed by school staff directly to students in need during school hours, free of charge. The schools in the pilot program include Davis Elementary, Henning Elementary, Falling Creek Middle, Matoaca Middle, Salem Church Middle, and Chesterfield Recovery Academy. Bright Point Community College’s Midlothian campus is also home to a new CFBOC School Pantry. Since the beginning of the 2024 school year, the CFBOC School Pantry Program has provided assistance to over 700 Chesterfield students in need.
“Many people are stunned when they learn about the number of students who need food assistance in Chesterfield County. The food items we stock help students with a quick breakfast or afterschool snacks so that they can learn and be nourished,” remarked Kim Hill, Executive Director of CFBOC. “We also stock more than food as many of these students don’t have essential personal care items at home such as toilet paper, feminine products, deodorant, toothbrushes, and even socks.”
The demand for the new CFBOC School Pantry Program is increasing with many schools already on a waiting list to join. CFOBC is asking for individual and corporate support for this program and its mission in general during the 150k LB Food Drive Challenge this fall. To learn more about CFBOC, make a donation, and get involved in the 150k LB Food Drive Challenge, please visit www.cfboc.org
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