Food Security Fund
Supporting student well-being in a time of crisis.
At the beginning of remote learning in spring of 2020 due to the pandemic– and with students, educators and families top of mind–we identified the greatest need for our most vulnerable families during this time – food security. The DPS Foundation, in collaboration with the district, worked to leverage existing resources to address food security needs.
The Need
Many students depend on school meals, with nearly 64% qualifying for Free and Reduced Lunch in 2020. The district used available funding to provide Grab-and-Go breakfast and lunch for children 18 and under at various locations throughout the city. Food insecurity impacts entire households, and the recent food shortages and price increases exacerbated challenges for vulnerable families.
Funding Use
Contributions to the Food Security Fund supported essential supplies and materials, not staffing, utilizing the existing Department of Food & Nutrition Services operations. This approach allowed families to pick up meals while practicing social distancing. Donations were not collected on-site to minimize germ spread, and efforts focused on areas with limited access to grocery stores.
The DPS Foundation committed early to alleviating this burden, partnering with philanthropic supporters to maximize community giving. Our collective effort demonstrated the strength of our community, vital for Denver Public Schools and the families it serves.
We are grateful for the support of our philanthropic partners and individual donors. Thank you for making a difference.
Thanks to community support and more than $1 million in donations, 1,283,000 meals were distributed March 16–August 23 in 2020!
