The Send Hunger Packing West Windsor-Plainsboro program provides weekend food to children in the West Windsor-Plainsboro School District in grades K – 6 who are entitled to receive free or reduced lunches during the school week under the National School Lunch Program, see https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/food-nutrition-assistance/child-nutrition-programs/national-school-lunch-program.aspx.
Children who are entitled to enroll in the National School Lunch Program are also entitled to participate in the SHuP WW-P program.
Packets of non-perishable food sufficient for four weekend meals are discreetly placed in the backpacks of the participating children by school personnel who are the only ones who know the identity of the participants in the program.
The program began in the Spring of 2018 when a group of residents of the School District, coming from the towns of West Windsor and Plainsboro, realized that a significant number of students in this otherwise wealthy community suffer from food insecurity. The group met with the organization that runs the Mercer Street Friends Food Bank and School District Officials to get approval to begin the program in the West Windsor-Plainsboro District. The program launched after issues of funding and distribution were worked out.
At the beginning of the school year, and appropriate times thereafter, School District personnel, such as guidance, nurses or teachers let eligible families know that they can choose to have their children participate in the program.
Yes. The School District has received feedback that the program is effective.
Over the years, it was found that children at the upper grade levels are reticent to participate; even though the program could benefit them.
The program is an investment in our children. By reducing food insecurity in families and providing weekend nutrition, children can come to school and concentrate on learning.
The program is run only through donations. The approximate cost is $6.00 per week per student. The approximate number of students in the program is over 100. The SHuP WW-P program raised all the funds for the first year and a half of the program. Then, last year, through a commitment from Mercer Street Friends, the program was told that it would continue. However, donations are critically necessary to assure that the students in the School District who are facing food insecurity will continue to have this program available.
The Little Free Pantry movement began in Arkansas in 2016 to help address food insecurity at the neighborhood level, see http://www.littlefreepantry.org. The program appears to be growing. The West Windsor Little Free Pantry is one of three in New Jersey, see http://mapping.littlefreepantry.org. Due to the COVID-19 experience, there should be others coming soon. The Send Hunger Packing West Windsor-Plainsboro Advisory Committee is contemplating putting a second Little Free Pantry in another location in West Windsor Township.
Yes! Below is information about food insecurity in New Jersey. While our programs may not end hunger, SHuP WW-P’s mission is to provide food and have a life-changing effect on people in our own community who are experiencing food insecurity.