Community Corner

2M Pounds Of Food, Toiletries Distributed By South Lakes HS Pantry

On July 18, the South Lakes High School PTSA's food pantry celebrated the distribution of its 2 millionth pound of food to Reston families.

On July 18, the South Lakes High School PTSA's food pantry celebrated the distribution of its 2 millionth pound of food to Reston families in need.
On July 18, the South Lakes High School PTSA's food pantry celebrated the distribution of its 2 millionth pound of food to Reston families in need. (Amber Bagely)

RESTON, VA — South Lakes High School PTSA's food pantry reached a significant milestone on Thursday, when it distributed its 2 millionth pound of food and toiletries to students and families facing food insecurity.

"It’s hard to believe that we started with 20-25 student shoppers each week and today, during the school year, we often have 300 students shopping and 175 families coming through every week," said pantry cofounder Abbe Pascal, in a release.

Opened in April 2017, the in-school pantry was originally intended to be a place where students could "shop" for food and toiletries for their families as a way to supplement school breakfasts and lunches. Now the pantry had expanded to offer curbside distribution to families in the South Lakes High School pyramid. Working with the social workers at all the schools in the pyramid, the pantry also provided grocery gift cards

Find out what's happening in Restonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

From day one, former Principal Kim Retzer encouraged staff, teachers, and the PTSA leadership to connect the pantry to the wider South Lakes High community.

“The pantry exemplifies the way our community comes together to support one another in a meaningful way," said incoming SLHS Principal Carlos Seward.

Find out what's happening in Restonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

The school community did respond. Every week, the pantry receives food donations from Trader Joe’s Reston, Wegmans, Safeway, and Whole Foods. In addition, Reading with Roz, an initiative with the RoSigle Foundation, has donated 1,100 new books, which the pantry stocks on its shelves.

Through a partnership with the Capital Area Food Bank/Feeding America, the South Lakes food pantry has donated more than 85,000 pounds of food.

Hundreds of volunteers are needed to keep the food pantry' stock every week. Bags are packed at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and then delivered to the high school to be picked up by students.

“It’s incredible to be able to see how appreciative our neighbors are week in and week out. It’s a true community effort," said volunteer Monica Russ.

The pantry receives bimonthly donations through A Simple Gesture and Food for Neighbors that bring in 75,000 pounds each year. The pyramid also participates in the annual Stuff the Bus initiative and the SLHS PTSA is hosting the Do it Your Way 0.5k fundraiser on Sept. 29.

South Lakes High School PTSA food pantry's community partners include: Reston Community Center, Rustic Love, GoodShepherd Lutheran Church, Restoration Church, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints,Cornerstones, Century 21 Redwood Realty Reston, Dev Technology Group, Long & Foster RealEstate Reston, Aspen Jewelry Designs, Creative Strategies, The RoSigle Foundation, NuAxisInnovations, Lake Anne Coffee House and Wine Bar, Lake Anne Brew House, New Trail Cycling &Strength, The Bike Lane, Unbroken Reston, OmBaked, Chesapeake Chesapeake Chocolates, and Ben & Jerry’s Reston.

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.