When Maria had her fifth baby this year, “a few things made a big difference,” she said—her husband pitching in with holiday dinners, her children’s smiles, and the food bag sent home each week from Westerly Creek Elementary School, where two of her children are students.

“It fills in the gaps,” said Maria, who recently bought a home in Aurora after moving to the United States 20 years ago. She continued, “With only my husband working, the food bags help a lot.” Maria asked that her last name not be used.

Westerly Creek Elementary, like most schools in Denver Public Schools, provides a weekly bag of groceries to any family that asks for help.

Also like many schools in the area, Westerly Creek has seen a spike in requests for support since the beginning of this school year.

At William “Bill” Roberts K-8 School, Inspire Elementary, and Swigert International School, the number of families seeking food aid has nearly doubled from last year, “with additional families expressing need weekly,” said Megan Bisek, a PTA member of Swigert’s critical needs committee. 

While some families have requested support due to uncertainty around government benefits, others have a parent who lost a job. “Or it could be the cost of groceries; there are lots of reasons to ask for help,” said Suzi Williams, who facilitates the Bill Roberts PTA food program.

In October, Northfield High School surveyed families about their needs. The many responses asking for support led the school’s engagement team to launch its first turkey drive, collecting holiday meats and side dishes. Moving forward, the school plans to host a year-round community pantry.

Students Helping Students

Most area elementary schools hold two food drives a year, and donations from the drives are used to fill food bags. “We’ve had our best response in years to this year’s food drive,” Williams said.

Megan’s son, fifth grader Cameron Bisek, sorted donations during Swigert’s fall drive. He said, “It’s nice to give back. If you have enough food, you can give some of that food to families who don’t have food.”

Fifth grader Benny Kearney added, “I like being part of the food drive because if someone doesn’t do it, who will? It’s a privilege to be able to do this.”

Communities Rally to Meet Demand

Due to increased demand, Swigert exhausted its annual food support budget by the end of October. A “call to action” went out on Facebook, and within days, donations poured in, funding grocery gift cards. “We are a community that takes care of one another,” Megan said. “Our goal is for every student to thrive, and that means supporting all of their needs.” The Swigert PTA later allocated more funding for critical needs in the community.

Because food drives alone are unable to meet all of the support requests, schools buy discounted goods from Food Bank of the Rockies. Bill Roberts’ budget for food aid has grown from $500 about four years ago to $3,500.

Food bags are packed by parent volunteers. Megan said, “We send out rice, beans, peanut butter, canned tuna, canned vegetables, pasta, cereal, and more.” Swigert fifth grader Julian Goldie said, “I think it’s good that we’re not just giving junk food.”

Westerly Creek’s program has spurred Maria’s family to try new recipes. She said with a laugh, “If there’s pasta and sauce in the bag, I say, ‘Tomorrow is pasta.’”

Schools Simplify Access to Aid

Schools aim to maintain privacy when distributing food bags, though “some of the younger ones look through their bags together and are excited to see what they’ve gotten,” Megan said.

Michelle Hauck, a counselor at Inspire, said it’s important for schools to step in “because accessing support agencies can be challenging.” Families may not have transportation or may work when food banks are open.

Receiving help through school, she said, “eliminates a barrier for families that face food insecurity and empowers them to have their kids at school.”

As for Maria, she said, “I am very grateful to all the people who care about us.”

Front Porch photos by Christie Gosch