Staten Island Schools Launch Pop-Up Food Pantries: A Vital Resource for Families in Need

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — The Northwell Staten Island University Hospital (SIUH) has introduced a program called Wellness on Wheels (WOW), which aims to help families in need by providing food. Recently, they set up a pop-up food pantry at PS 31 in New Brighton, delivering crucial food supplies to local families after the holiday season.

Many families on Staten Island struggle daily to put meals on the table. Often, they rely on government assistance and local food pantries. The WOW program partners with schools to reach families with school-aged children who need support the most.

During the December pantry event, families received bags filled with healthy food items. The packages included fresh fruits like broccoli, red apples, and oranges, along with staples such as whole wheat bread, rice, kidney beans, and peanut butter.

To support healthy eating habits, each delivery also came with a recipe booklet featuring the motto: “Healthy eating equals a healthy mind.”

This initiative is run by SIUH’s Community Health Department. By working closely with parent coordinators at schools, they aim to ensure that families in underserved neighborhoods have access to nutritious food. The pop-up pantries occur once a month at two local schools, serving around 30 families each time.

In addition to these monthly events, the WOW program also operates during all holiday breaks and plans to expand to summer camps starting in 2025.

The WOW program is part of a broader effort that includes initiatives like jr. PRO and sPROut. These programs not only focus on healthy eating but also introduce students to health-care careers and promote mindfulness and physical fitness.

Claudette Hill, the director of Community Health at SIUH, emphasizes the program’s mission: “We want to make sure no family is left behind when it comes to access to nutritious food. Through partnerships and community involvement, we address food insecurity and build a healthier community.”

Many families, like Asha Robinson, expressed their gratitude during the event. Asha, who has six children, shared how the program provides a safety net in tough times: “It’s more than just food; it’s a lifeline for our community. We are deeply appreciative.”

The jr. PRO and sPROut programs also engage parents, equipping them with the tools to support their children’s growth and well-being.

Here’s the schedule for upcoming pop-up food pantries:

• January: PS 78, Stapleton, and PS 40, New Brighton
• February: PS 63, New Springville, and PS 53, Great Kills
• March: PS 11, Dongan Hills, and PS 58, New Springville
• April: PS 50, Oakwood, and PS 54, Willowbrook
• May: PS 65, Tompkinsville, and PS 44, Mariners Harbor
• June: PS 84, Stapleton, and PS 19, West Brighton
• July: PS 31, New Brighton
• August: PS 30, Westerleigh, and PS 20, Port Richmond
• September: Dreyfus Intermediate School (I.S. 49), Stapleton, and PS 32, Great Kills
• October: PS 55, Eltingville, and PS 22, Graniteville
• November: PS 8, Great Kills, and PS 16, Tompkinsville
• December: PS 721, Sunnyside, and Egbert Intermediate School (I.S. 2), Midland Beach