Weaver High School Tackles Growing Rate of Food Insecurity with New School Food Pantry

Today, Weaver High School celebrated the official grand opening of the “Beavers’ Den,” a program to address food insecurity among students and families. The pantry will be stocked with nutritious shelf-stable foods so students can have consistent access to nourishment when the school is closed on weeknights and weekends. The initiative was created in partnership with the Stop & Shop School Food Pantry program, which is donating $7,500 to Weaver High School to support the “Beavers’ Den.”

75% of the 780 students enrolled at the school are considered economically disadvantaged, several of whom live in temporary housing. The Beavers’ Den is ready to serve students and families of the school community.

Weaver High School Principal Tiffany Webley states, “We often talk about, ‘excellence from all for all.’ ‘From all for all’ means that we are a family and we support each other, ensuring that each person has everything they need to be whole. Today, with the opening of this pantry, we are strengthening our family bond while removing one additional barrier so that no student has to choose between their education and their next meal. We are incredibly fortunate to have partners who understand our vision. To Stop & Shop: thank you for choosing Weaver. Your sponsorship allows us to provide more than just food; it allows us to provide peace of mind.”

The Stop & Shop School Food Pantry Program was established in 2019 to limit barriers impacting students’ ability to succeed in the classroom by helping to ensure that they have consistent access to food. The program currently serves over 280 schools across the northeast, including 4 four in Hartford, where it has donated a total of $94,500 in recent years. It is one of the largest school food pantry programs in the country. Stop & Shop makes annual grants to support its school pantries, so Weaver High School will have the opportunity to re-apply for funding in 2027 and beyond.

“Our School Food Pantry Program has inspired strong student outcomes across our footprint—with many schools reporting increased attendance and overall improvement in culture. We hope the Beavers’ Den is a place where students can feel supported and empowered to pursue both their life and academic goals,” said Stephanie Cunha, Manager of External Communications for Stop & Shop.