Central Unified food pantry provides access to students, families and staff in need

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- It whitethorn not look similar overmuch outside, but erstwhile you spell in, the Central Unified Food Pantry comes to beingness with vibrant colors and stocked shelves.

The nutrient wrong helps enactment students, their families and employees wrong the district.

Superintendent Ketti Davis says it's an important plus due to the fact that information shows families successful the country conflict to marque ends meet.

"Over 82% percent of families district-wide and connected this field wherever our nutrient pantry is... it's implicit 90% of our families are identified arsenic surviving successful poverty." Davis said.

The nutrient pantry is supported by the Central Unified Foundation.

Through the Central California Food Bank, the instauration was capable to use for the Morgan Stanley Choices Grant Opportunity.

They were 1 of 12 locations nationwide that was selected for the funding.

The Executive Director of the Central Unified Foundation, Serena Dohi, says the assistance focuses connected ensuring each household has a dignified experience.

"So dissimilar a regular nutrient organisation wherever you person a container of nutrient with items that you whitethorn not use, a prime pantry allows a household to travel successful and store for items," Dohi said.

Shelves person nutrient circumstantial to the cultures wrong the district, including Hispanic, Punjabi and Hmong.

There are canned items that don't necessitate a tin opener, items that don't request an oven oregon stove, and amusive snacks for kids.

While determination are limits connected non-perishable items, families tin instrumentality arsenic overmuch caller nutrient arsenic they'd like.

Families successful request are identified by schoolhouse liaisons and directed to disposable resources.

Those aforesaid liaisons enactment during the distributions.

"It's truly bully for our families to spot a look that they cognize due to the fact that I cognize that sometimes coming to a nutrient pantry tin beryllium tense -- you know, nerve-wracking for our families." CUSD Supervisor for Community Schools and Expanded Learning Christina Rodriguez said.

District employees besides person entree to the pantry.

They person the enactment to publication a private, discreet appointment.

Superintendent Davis says she hopes families cognize the territory is present for support.

"We are truly looking for families that whitethorn beryllium successful request and successful backstage and respectful ways connecting with them to marque definite that they cognize here's a resource, here's however we tin assistance you, and that it isn't conscionable by accidental that it's found," Davis said.

The nutrient pantry is unfastened connected the 3rd Wednesday and 4th Friday of the month. For much accusation connected operating hours oregon however to donate you tin click here.

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