Colorado Springs principals deliver food to families in need after creating their own pantry

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- Giving back and making sure students are fed looks different at Harrison School District 2 (D2).

Soon after the COVID-19 outbreak, D2 quickly found out the families who attended their schools needed more than online lessons and caring teachers to get through the year. They needed food.

"We found that a number of our families in Southeast Colorado Springs were without access to adequate meals for their families when the pandemic began," said Christine O'Brien, public information officer for the district.

In addition to food, items like cleaning supplies, laundry supplies, paper goods, baby items and formula, and certain foods "were a big concern for families, and many of our community were laid off or had their hours greatly reduced."

As a result, volunteers, including two principals at D2 stepped in and created their pantry.

With the help of an emergency grant, "the district has worked to get food pantry deliveries to families without transportation or who cannot leave their homes due to medical conditions," O'Brien said.

Kim Noyes, principal at Centennial Elementary School said, "We've been doing deliveries to families with kids who are medically fragile because they just can't get out to the store or to a single mom who doesn't want to bring six kids to the grocery store with her."

The biggest need at the pantry are cleaning supplies and adult medication. If you'd like to donate, you can stop by the pantry behind Sierra High School between Monday and Thursday between 10:15 to 11:00 a.m., or drop items off at the dropboxes listed below:

• New Life - North (Monday - Thursday)
• Pulpit Rock Church
• Vanguard Church
• Fellowship of the Rockies - 8th St. Campus
• Sand Creek Library (Tuesday & Thursday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.)

If your student attends a school in D2, and your family needs help, contact your school's teacher or principal to connect with the pantry.