On a warm April afternoon, families lined up at South Davis Elementary School, excitedly waiting for a fresh food pantry to open. Instead of the usual school supplies, this pantry offered bags filled with fresh fruits and vegetables.
The initiative, launched by Texas Health Resources, aims to tackle food insecurity in the community. Principal Kalisse Kelly emphasized the importance of meeting students’ nutritional needs before diving into academics. “We focus on meeting their needs first,” she shared. “This is a big need in our community.”
The Good For You Healthy Hub program, started in 2019, operates 23 locations across the Fort Worth-Dallas area. South Davis marks its first presence in an Arlington ISD school, supported by Atmos Energy. Karen Morales from Texas Health noted that the school was chosen due to the high number of students relying on free or reduced lunches. “We want to provide nutritious foods to those who need it most,” she explained.
Recent data shows that around 90% of the students at South Davis are economically disadvantaged. In the surrounding area, nearly 16% of families lived in poverty in 2024, highlighting the pantry’s critical role in addressing hunger.
The pantry prioritizes fresh produce, aiming for at least 70% of its offerings to be fruits and vegetables. “Families love seeing fresh food,” Morales said, noting the excitement during the pantry’s opening.
The pantry is mobile, currently situated in an unused classroom, and it will move as needed to serve the community better. Families can access it without registration, making it easy for them to pick what they need.
Following a recent $470 million bond approval, plans are underway to rebuild South Davis, further enhancing the school’s ability to serve its students and their families.
On the pantry’s opening day, the long line of families brought a smile to Kelly’s face. She was initially concerned about turnout but was thrilled to see her hard work pay off. “This is one of my favorite things as a principal,” she said, witnessing the community come together to meet a significant need.
The pantry will continue to provide fresh food on select dates. For more details, families can contact South Davis Elementary School directly.
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