For many students, school is the only place where food is accessible and affordable. At home, not every student has the same level of access to food as at school. This is the motivation behind Meridian’s new Weekend Food Support program, which was put into effect on Mar. 10. by Meridian’s social worker Ms. Samantha Daniels.
“School is a consistent source of meals for students,” Daniels noted. “But not everyone has that same consistent access to meals in the evenings or on the weekend.”
The program was formed after prior efforts to support students struggled. Daniels explained that Meridian’s Food Services team ran a Friday “Backpack Program” that sent fresh food home with students for the weekend. Unfortunately, as need for support increased, the program “did not have the capacity to continue.”
After the program shut down, FCCPS began looking for new ways to help students and families, such as a partnership with Food for Neighbors, a Northern Virginia-based non-profit with a focus on ending child hunger.
Daniels said the program is simple and easy for students to use. “The student comes to my office and I have a cabinet of shelf stable food items they can put in a small bag, and that bag can fit in their backpack,” she explained.
The food available in the cabinet depends on what the school receives, but students may find items such as tuna packets, microwaveable rice and pasta, shelf-stable entrees, boxed mac and cheese and ramen. In general, the food provided is easy to store, carry and prepare.
Additionally, privacy is also an important aspect of the program. Daniels mentioned that, “there’s no obvious indication they’re [students] here to get food,” because many students already visit student services for different reasons.
She also added that the bag the food is carried in is small, discreet and easy to fit into a backpack and only a small group of staff members know which students are part of the program.
Daniels emphasized that the program is meant to feel supportive and not embarrassing for students.
“I’m just trying to present this resource with objective facts about what it is,” she explained. “In general, when supporting students and families no matter what the need is, my approach is to be thoughtful and open-minded.”
Besides families asking for help from her directly, Daniels occasionally reaches out to families she already knows could benefit from support. As the program is still relatively new, she said it is too early to know exactly what the response will be. Despite the uncertain reactions, she believes the program is important for Meridian as a whole.
“Food insecurity can and does affect so many of us,” Daniels remarked. “I hope readers will know that if they are experiencing any barriers to getting their needs met, food related or not, that I am here for them.”
Students or families who want more information about the Weekend Food Support program or have any specific questions can contact Samantha Daniels at [email protected].
