Brownsville school solicits food donations to help keep school pantry full during the summer

School officials say the kids who rely on school breakfast and lunch at school won't have access to those meals.

Melissa Rose Cooper

May 31, 2025, 2:52 AM

Updated yesterday

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As summer break approaches, one Brownsville school is worried its food pantry shelves won't stay full. School officials say the kids who rely on school breakfast and lunch at school won't have access to those meals.
"A school models for a community, like what does it mean to build community and sustainability," says Tawana Vasquez, principal of the Riverdale Avenue Community School.
It's one of the reasons she is pushing for donations to keep the shelves at the school's family market stocked. The pantry provides free food for about 70 to 90 families twice a month.
"Groceries are really expensive, rent is really expensive," said Vasquez. "Our hope is that we can get donations so that our families can continue to shop at the market over the summer and that we ensure students have access to food and nutritious items."
Educators say they are thankful for all the donations they've received so far. Once the shelves are full again, the goal is to eventually be able to open up the pantry to the rest of the community as well.