Meeting Basic Needs to Fuel Learning: The Schools Fund’s Partnership for Food Security

In Berkeley, a city known for its resources and progressive values, 1 in 3 students face socio-economic barriers, contributing to one of the nation’s largest achievement gaps. Guided by our mission to champion equitable public education, the Berkeley Public Schools Fund is dedicated to bridging opportunity gaps district-wide, ensuring resources reach the areas of greatest need.

Basic needs are the foundation of learning. When students arrive at school hungry, they struggle to focus, participate, or even attend. The Schools Fund supports students and their families by addressing food security, ensuring all learners can come to school ready to succeed.

Through strong partnerships, committed donors, and a dedicated network of School Support Volunteers, the Schools Fund facilitates three essential food programs to support Berkeley students and families.

Essential Nourishment: School Site Food Pantries

 Each month, the Schools Fund partners with the district’s Family Engagement team and the Berkeley Food Network (BFN) to host on-campus food pantries. These pantries serve over 500 families, providing fresh, nutritious groceries free of charge, allowing families to choose the foods that best meet their needs.

For many, these pantries are a lifeline. Erika Hawkins, a Family Engagement Specialist at Washington Elementary, recalled a moment that underscores their impact:

 “One mom seemed hesitant at first, but I reassured her that everything was free. She was so thankful and shared that her family was down to their last meal until the following week.”

Attendance at these pantries continues to grow. Volunteers play a crucial role, setting up tables, welcoming families, and assisting with food selection. So far, more than 25 School Support Volunteers have supported pantries, many returning for multiple events.

These efforts are part of a larger network of over 750 School Support Volunteers strengthening food security efforts across Berkeley. From staffing pantries to delivering groceries, their dedication ensures that students’ basic needs are met so they can thrive.

Emma Greenberg-Bell, BFN’s Pantry Programs Manager, emphasized their impact:

“Berkeley Food Network is immensely grateful for our partnership with the Schools Fund. As BFN aims to get food to those who need it throughout Berkeley and Alameda County, we are able to support the community more deeply with the dedication of volunteers and staff from the Schools Fund.”

Home Delivery Program: Reaching Families in Need

For some families, getting to a food pantry isn’t possible due to illness, disability, or transportation barriers. That’s why the Schools Fund, Family Engagement, and BFN launched the Home Delivery program, bringing fresh, nutritious groceries directly to families’ doorsteps.

Each week, volunteers pick up grocery bags filled with fresh produce, proteins, and pantry staples and deliver them to BUSD families facing food insecurity. The program provides nearly 1,000 grocery boxes annually.

Carol Perez, a Family Engagement Specialist, shared how much these deliveries mean:

 “The deliveries weren’t just about food. They showed these families that their school community cared about their well-being.”

School Support Volunteers make this program possible. Chris Edmunds, who delivers groceries by bicycle, shared:

“I’m glad to be able to actually do something to better our community.”

 For long-time volunteer Kitty Keenan, the personal connections make a lasting impact:

“The families we serve are lovely and are truly appreciative of our help.”

Fostering Food Equity for High School Students

Food insecurity isn’t limited to young children—it also affects high school students, many of whom struggle to access meals during and after school.

Thanks to a generous community donor, the Schools Fund provides snacks and on-the-go food for 15 campus groups, reaching over 850 priority students. Programs like Bridge, RISE, the Family Resource Center, and the Wellness Center ensure that students have the nourishment they need to focus in class.

Berkeley High Counselor Megan Potsemil sees the impact firsthand:

“Every day, I talk to students that come to school without having eaten breakfast and without lunch in their backpacks. Being fed is essential to success in the classroom.”

Having access to consistent, reliable food helps students improve attendance, stay engaged, and focus in the classroom.

Creating Opportunity Through Equity

The Schools Fund’s food security initiatives do more than fill empty plates—they create pathways for students to succeed academically, build emotional resilience, and feel a deeper sense of belonging in their schools.

When students’ basic needs are met, education becomes a transformative force—strengthening not just individual learners, but the entire Berkeley community for generations to come.