PTAs in Arlington are getting creative to combat food insecurity among students in Arlington Public Schools. A small cabinet at Hoffman-Boston Elementary holds essentials like apple sauce and pasta, available 24/7 for any child in need. The PTA works alongside a food rescue group to gather surplus items from local bakeries and farmers’ markets.
With rising concerns over food access—especially after the recent government shutdown—PTAs are rising to the occasion. “Schools have turned to us because the need has grown,” says Claire Noakes, president of the Arlington County Council of PTAs. “We’re responding quickly and creatively to this crisis.”
Over 20 PTAs have joined forces to help. At Long Branch Elementary, the PTA has started providing food bags to families in need and partnered with Troy’s Kitchen to supply hot meals over the weekend. Similarly, Discovery Elementary has organized a gift card drive, while Claremont Elementary focuses on providing meals during school breaks.
Many of these initiatives have been ongoing, but recent economic pressures have made the need even more urgent. “Before the pandemic, we used to distribute student-friendly food, but that program has not fully restarted,” says Noakes. Community organizations, like the Capital Area Food Bank, are also pivotal in this fight against hunger.
According to the USDA, around 13.7 million children lived in food-insecure households in 2021. The need for accessible and easy-to-prepare food is more crucial than ever. Simple items like single-serving mac and cheese can help families feed their children without added stress.
Getting involved is easy. Community members can volunteer or donate to local PTAs. Noakes encourages everyone to voice their concerns to local leaders about child hunger: “It’s vital that we make this a priority.”
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arlington public schools,food insecurity,food pantry,pta,scott gelman
