CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) – In response to increased need due to the COVID-19 pandemic and economic downturn, the San Juan Unified School District has created the "Food to Learn" program to provide additional food to students and their families.      

The current San Juan Unified Food Closet donation levels are not meeting the growing need and requests for help. While the school meal program continues to serve breakfast and lunch to students during distance learning, the San Juan Unified Food Closet strives to provide food for evening and weekend meals to our families in need.

Each month, the San Juan Unified Food Closet needs at least 600 bags of food to serve up to 300 families. Each bag of food helps a family of four to survive for up to three days. "Students cannot effectively learn when their stomachs are empty," said Diana Marshall, Director of Equity and Student Achievement. "Hunger can negatively impact a child's academic performance."

San Juan Unified asks the community to support this initiative with donations of non-perishable food. Suggested items for donation include instant oatmeal, boxed cereal, instant mashed potatoes, pasta, beans, lentils, rice, flour, peanut butter, canned fruit and vegetables, soup, canned meats and fish, cooking oil, fruit and vegetable juices, and snack foods. Items should be new, unopened, and in original packaging. No large bulk or expired items please. We will also accept cash, checks payable to SJUSD, and grocery gift card donations.

Bring donations to the "Food to Learn" drive-thru donation event on Saturday, October 24 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Whitney Avenue Elementary School, 4248 Whitney Avenue, Sacramento (enter on Eastern Avenue).

San Juan Unified will also be adding information to its website for making tax-deductible, online donations.

For more information about the "Food to Learn" donation event and program updates, please contact Edith Gonzalez at (916) 979-8877 or [email protected], or visit www.sanjuan.edu/foodtolearn.