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KidsPak's Pantry Program provides school food pantries at all Thompson School District high schools and The Landing, offering students consistent, low-barrier access to nutritious food during the school day. This program is KidsPak's newest and most innovative to ensure less hunger among students. It expands access beyond weekend food bags, recognizing that older students often have evolving schedules and needs. For example, a student heading to an after-school job may need a quick, grab-and-go meal to get through the evening.
The pantry model allows students to select items themselves, creating a more dignified experience while giving teens choice and autonomy over what they receive. This approach helps reduce stigma and better meets the needs of adolescents during a critical stage of growth and development.
KidsPak works in close partnership with schools and community organizations to operate these pantries and will expand access over the summer to additional partners such as the Boys & Girls Club and Project Self-Sufficiency. These partnerships help ensure continuity of food access when school is not in session and support families during times when
resources are often stretched.
By increasing flexible, reliable access to food, the Pantry Program supports students' overall well-being and helps them stay focused, engaged, and ready to learn. Schools with pantries continue to receive weekend food bags, with the pantry serving as an additional layer of support to meet a wider range of needs.
KidsPak grew out of a Loveland Rotary Club project. For 12 years, KidsPak was managed as a service project within the club. The expansion of this service has allowed the creation of a new standalone 501(c)3 but KidsPak still receives huge support from the local club. Many Rotarians are still involved as volunteers, board members and donors.
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