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Jersey City Charter School Has First In-School Food Pantry In NJ
Learning Community Charter School and Stop & Shop held a ribbon cutting of the school's new food pantry, which serves the 600 students.
JERSEY CITY, NJ — Learning Community Charter School and Stop & Shop held a ribbon cutting of the school’s new food pantry, which is located in the office of the assistant heads of the school. The pantry will help keep any needy students at the school from going hungry.
The pantry, which will be open to the school’s 600+ students, is being supported by a $10,000 donation of gift cards by Stop & Shop that will enable the school to purchase food items and other essential products that the students and their families need.
The Stop & Shop School Food Pantry Program helps to limit barriers impacting students’ ability to succeed in the classroom. Making sure that students have consistent access to food is a key part of that. The Stop & Shop School Food Pantry at the Community Learning Charter School is the supermarket’s first for the state. The pantry will be operated by the student council and PTO with weekly food distributions planned to start.
Find out what's happening in Jersey Cityfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
“Since 2019, Stop & Shop has lent support to more than 100 in-school pantries across our five operating states, and we are proud to establish in New Jersey with the Learning Community Charter School,” said Stefanie Shuman, Stop & Shop External Communications Manager. “Students cannot learn when they are hungry, and we are pleased to support students in Jersey City as we help ensure that they are fueled for success.”
"We've found that a family's need for food assistance changes and fluctuates over time and can occur regardless of their official status," said Angel Melendez, Assistant Head of School. "Families can be on solid footing at one point in time, and then that can drastically change. We are honored that Stop & Shop chose LCCS as its first food pantry in New Jersey, and grateful that now we can be responsive to all families in need."
Find out what's happening in Jersey Cityfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The Learning Community Charter School is a public charter school that serves Pre-K through 8th grade. Approximately 70% students are Black, Hispanic, or Asian, and they come from all parts of Jersey City. More than 20 languages and dialects are spoken in student homes. About 35% of the student population qualifies for free/reduced lunch, but the food pantry is open to anyone in the school community in need for any reason.
For more information about Stop & Shop’s School Food Pantry Program visit https://stopandshop.com/pages/school-food-pantry-program.
