Food Gatherers Announces 2019-2020 Healthy School Pantry Program

ANN ARBOR – Food Gatherers, the food bank and food rescue program serving Washtenaw County, is excited to announce the start of our Healthy School Pantry Program for the 2019-2020 school year. This year the program will expand from 16 to 17 schools to serve families in Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, and Whitmore Lake.

Schools with Healthy School Pantry Program sites regularly distribute boxes containing fresh produce, recipe cards, and other grocery items to parents and children. Food Gatherers supplies all the produce and food items distributed; additionally, some schools operate full, permanent food pantries.

“The Healthy School Pantry Program is a great way for Food Gatherers to reach children and families that might not access our network’s resources otherwise,” said Eileen Spring, Food Gatherers President & CEO. “Families feel more comfortable getting food at schools, and it’s convenient for parents who are already there to pick up their kids. Our goal is to increase the access that families have to fresh fruits and vegetables, and to encourage children to try new foods!”

The following schools will host a Healthy School Pantry Program in the 2019-2020 school year:

  • Achieving Career & College Education (A.C.C.E)
  • Beatty Early Learning Center
  • Bishop Elementary
  • Brick Elementary
  • Chapelle Business Center (The Collaborative Ypsilanti YMCA & Willow Run Acres)
  • Erickson Elementary
  • Estabrook Elementary
  • Ford Early Learning
  • Global Tech Academy
  • Holmes Elementary
  • Lincoln Middle School
  • Mitchell Elementary (open to Carpenter, Pittsfield and Scarlett school families)
  • Pathways To Success Academic Campus
  • Perry Early Learning Center
  • Whitmore Lake Early Childhood & Elementary School
  • Ypsilanti Community High School 
  • Ypsilanti International Elementary School (YIES)

The Healthy School Pantry Program is funded by grants from the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor, Kiwanis Club of Ann Arbor Foundation, Ann Arbor Thrift Shop, J.F. Ervin Foundation, and many generous individuals.

About Food Gatherers

Food Gatherers’ mission is to alleviate hunger in Washtenaw County. As the food bank and food rescue program for the county, we distribute more than 6.5 million pounds of food to 170 non-profit programs serving approximately 44,500 low-income adults, seniors and children every year. For a list of our partner programs or to learn how you can become involved in the fight against hunger locally, please visit www.foodgatherers.org or call (734) 761-2796.

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