Partner Resources

becoming a School pantry partner

School-based pantries provide an easily accessible source of nutritious food to low-income students and their families in a convenient location throughout the school year. Dry goods and a variety of produce are made available to families at each distribution. Parents are required to pick up the food during a time that has been determined by the school as the most convenient for the families – this usually occurs monthly during arrival, dismissal, parent meetings, curriculum night, open house or some other regularly occurring event.

The program serves families in early learning centers, elementary, middle, and high schools where 50% or more students are enrolled in the Free or Reduced Lunch Program.

School Pantry Models

For school pantry partners, there are two types of models: mobile pantry and in-school pantry. Partners can either implement one of these models or use both simultaneously. The following charts compare each model’s features and what scenarios they are the best fit for.

Mobile Pantry

A model where Food Bank staff brings a truck on site with 10 or more pallets of food (shelf-stable and produce) to feed a minimum of 150 families.
- This model works well for
  schools with limited indoor storage space but a large parking area able to accommodate a truck and families driving or walking to the pantry.
- This model is led by
  the School Site Coordinator (managed by school staff, parents, students, and volunteers with support and technical assistance from Food Bank staff.
- Distributions
  take place during a 2-hour window and typically occur once a month.
In-School Pantry

A model where the pantry is permanently housed in a space within the school. A school must implement the mobile model for 3 months to be eligible to start the in-school pantry.
- This model works well if
  the school has an empty small storage closet, office, or classroom space. This model increases the flexibility of the pantry and allows access to more individuals who may not be able to attend a monthly distribution.
- This model is managed and run by
  school staff, parents, students, and volunteers with support and technical assistance from Food Bank staff.
- Distributions
  occur at a minimum of once a month but is based on community need and the school’s capacity.

Is School Pantry Partnership a Good Fit for You?

If you’re considering becoming a school pantry partner, we recommend you view the eligibility requirements to see if you qualify.

Partnership Requirements

General Requirements

Serve families in schools with 50% or higher free or reduced lunch rates.
Designate a School Pantry Site Coordinator(s) to oversee distributions and volunteers, attend program training, advertise distribution, and submit monthly reports.
Schedule monthly distributions throughout the school year Monday-Friday. Summer months are optional.
Recruit volunteers for an orderly and successful distribution.
Participate in yearly monitoring.
Sign and adhere to all Food Bank policies as delineated in the School Pantry Program Agreement.

Physical Requirements

Secure a paved lot or indoor space for distribution for 150 or more families.
Space for a semi-truck to maneuver, park and unload 10 or more pallets.
Indoor space to store empty pallets until next distribution, or plan to discard pallets.

Community Need

There must be an established need in your community for a new food program. We reserve the right to review the concentration of pantry partners in your community. If a food program already exists in your neighborhood, then it may be more beneficial to collaborate with them. Upon request, we will provide a list of other schools or pantries in your area that you may contact to discuss community-specific needs.

Equal Opportunity and Access

No matter the type of food program, you are expected to serve individuals regardless of their race, color, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, creed, religion, sexual orientation, physical appearance, disability status, age, pregnancy, or any group membership.

School Pantry Hours of Operation

All schools are required to follow a monthly schedule throughout the school year and must be open during the days and hours reported to the Food Bank. Temporary schedule changes are permitted but must be reported in writing as soon as possible. Permanent distribution schedule changes must be submitted in writing as well.

School Pantry programs must have regularly scheduled food distributions at least once a month during the school year. Summer months are optional.
The delivery day and 2-hour delivery window are established by Food Bank staff and school staff.
The time of the distribution is determined by the school. Schools may distribute during arrival, mid-day, dismissal, and special events.

Become a School Pantry Partner

If you are a school, we require that 50% or more of the student body participate in the Free and Reduced Lunch Program and that you serve a minimum of 150 households per distribution.

Currently, the Atlanta Community Food Bank accepts School Pantry applications:

April (preceding school year)

To be considered for becoming a school pantry partner, you will need to first complete the interest form.*

*You must read and understand all the information above before submitting an interest form.

Interest Form