ABOUT
NUTRIPACKS
THE PROGRAM
NutriPacks is a direct food distribution program for any food insecure student in the Central Dauphin School District. Packs for enrolled students are loaded weekly with nutritious meals and snacks for weekends and extended breaks throughout the school year. As we are able, distribution points also supply milk, bread, fresh eggs, fruit and vegetables.
Established in 2010 by a Central Dauphin School counselor who recognized that some of her students were not getting sufficient nutrition during the weekends, Nutripacks has grown to support every grade and school in the district. NutriPacks traditionally runs 30 weeks during the school year, October – June. Through the COVID-19 pandemic and since, we have been able to partner with the Central PA Food Bank and Midwest Food Bank to provide support during school closure and the summer months. The program is operated by volunteers under the Panther Ram Foundation, a 501(c)(3), and is funded by grants, individual donors, community partners, and fundraisers.
CENTRAL DAUPHIN SD
The Central Dauphin School District is the largest school district in Dauphin County; the district’s 12,000+ students live in 3 boroughs - Dauphin, Paxtang and Penbrook and 4 townships - Lower Paxton, Middle Paxton, Swatara and West Hanover. Students attend 13 elementary schools, 4 middle schools, 2 high schools and the district-run cyber school.
FOOD INSECURITY
Although food insecurity is harmful to any individual, it can be particularly devastating for children due to increased vulnerability to their physical & mental development. Food insecure students have difficulty concentrating and are more likely to repeat a grade.
This is the driver for Nutripacks - to give children in our district the opportunity to be well fed, enabling them to fully engage in the classroom, curricular activities and with homework.
MEET OUR TEAM
NutriPacks is a volunteer organization committed to helping every child in our school district have access to nutritious food on the weekends and school breaks so that hunger is not a barrier to their academic success.
