Grand Junction High School is collecting food donations for students and their families who rely on government food assistance.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Community Food Bank of Grand Junction, Food Bank of the Rockies, Salvation Army Food Pantry, and Roice-Hurst Humane Society (Pet Food) have been running out of money due to the Government shutdown. They will lose all federal funding on Saturday, Nov. 1, which is a problem for many families and students of Mesa County District 51.
GJHS English teacher Megan Read has organized the food pantry. She sent an email on Oct. 28 to teachers and staff requesting food donations. According to Read, students should know that their classmates are being impacted by food insecurity, and making donations can be a big help.
“I was thinking a few nights ago about the SNAP benefits that are running out of funds, and thinking about how much students are going to be impacted by it. I texted Ms. (Jodee) Cronk about it, and she wanted to help with it. Together, we went to Mr. (Jory) Sorenson to ask for permission, and he agreed to set up the pantry,” said Read.
According to the GJHS school profile, 48% of students qualify for free and reduced lunch. The GJHS teachers want to help out not just the students, but their families as well, to get food.
Read said GJHS principal Jory Sorensen and head custodian Jason Garrison jumped in to help by setting up shelving in the commons, where students can find the food donations. She said donations of easy-to-make meals are at the top of the donation request list.
“We want to help our community with the donations and give them food. We talked about food boxes that we are making to give to students and families. We want the donations to last a while, but definitely through the holidays. Students can help by getting the word out and helping classmates with the food security problems,” said Sorensen.
Preferred food to be donated includes pasta, cereal, canned vegetables, fruit, soups, mac and cheese or any other food that is shelf-stable. The pantry is located in the commons near the entrance of the auditorium. Some of the food already on the shelf includes pasta, cereal, canned vegetables and soups.
