Welcome to the Food For Neighbors School Partner Resource Center!
We’re thrilled to partner with you this school year! This page is your go-to resource for everything you need to support students facing food insecurity.
Bookmark this page for quick access to:
- Information on our programs
- Helpful links and resources
- Tips for successfully implementing a food program at your school
- The best ways to connect with our team
- FAQs to answer common questions
We’re here to support you every step of the way—let’s make a difference together!
QUICK LINKS
This section highlights customer reviews and success stories, showcasing the positive experiences and trust built through our services and products.
LEARN MORE ABOUT US
Learn more about how Food For Neighbors is making a difference in your county, and meet the dedicated individuals behind our mission.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
When does Food For Neighbors restock our pantry?
Five times each school year, Food For Neighbors hosts a food collection and sorting event known as the Red Bag Event. All food and toiletries collected those days will immediately be delivered to your school to fill the pantry.
What does my school need to do on Red Bag Event days?
We need a staff member available to pick up filled bins of food from our Saturday morning events and bring them back to school on Monday morning. Alternatively, the school and pantry must be open on event days so Food For Neighbors can send a volunteer to deliver the filled bins directly to your school. We host five events each school year.
Who do I call if my pantry is running low?
The best place to start is a quick call to your Area Manager (AM). The AM can help find food from other area schools. If none is available, they’ll have the resources needed to purchase additional food to keep you stocked until the next Red Bag Event.
What if I need multiple food pantries around the school?
Many of the larger schools we partner with have multiple distribution sites throughout the building. Food For Neighbors can provide locking cabinets for offices or rooms that serve multiple purposes. We also offer a variety of bin sizes to store food in offices, nurse’s stations, or classrooms, ensuring staff can quickly provide snacks to students in need.
Does our school need to promote Food For Neighbors?
Absolutely! The success of our programs comes from engaging and mobilizing the local community to support Food For Neighbors as we collaborate with schools to feed students in need. We provide schools with a sample “Letter from the Principal” to share information about the partnership with Food For Neighbors. Additionally, we offer marketing blurbs and graphics for use in school communications such as e-newsletters, PTA updates, and social media. We also provide fundraising materials to help Food For Neighbors supply schools with Holiday Meals and Grocery Store Gift Cards.
Why does Food For Neighbors send surveys and what type of questions will be asked?
Individuals, companies, organizations, businesses and grantors who donate funds and food to Food For Neighbors want to know the impact we are having. We send out 1-2 Impact Surveys each school year with questions about the number of students served, how often they are being served, and the demographics of the students being served. Our donors also want to know the positive impact our programs are having on the students’ lives. We will ask questions about improvement in areas like attendance, grades, focus, participation in class or activities, etc. When you receive these surveys, we appreciate your prompt attention to them and we are always here to answer any questions you might have.
We also send out mini-surveys quarterly to determine who needs grocery store gift cards. These surveys are brief and have quick deadlines for coordination purposes.
If you have any questions, please contact Lisa at lisa@foodforneighbors.org.
Files to Download
Download the necessary files to get started with running and promoting your program. These resources will help you set up, share, and spread the word effectively.
Food Management & Distribution Best Practices: Information on managing a school pantry, including food safety, food distribution, and inventory management. Plus, printable signs you can use to alert staff about the pantry and its location.
Social Media Kit: Sample social media posts and graphics for promoting your school’s partnership with FFN on social media. Could also be used in school newsletters or websites.
School Communications Template: Template for school communication, like newsletters, to encourage more Red Bag Donors and volunteers in your area.
Food For Neighbors Flyer: Promote FFN in your school’s community with this ready-to-print (or attach to an email) pdf flyer. If you would like this flyer customized with your school or pantry name and/or school colors, let us know!
Testimonials
We love receiving testimonials from school staff members, students and families about the impact our program is having. If you would like to share a testimonial (or pass along a testimonials from a student or family) that we can use on our website, social media and marketing, please email us. Testimonials are shared anonymously.
from a FCPS High School Social Worker:
“This program has changed our school culture. Most students are comfortable asking for food and families feel supported. It has also allowed for so many staff/student relationships to develop that may not have otherwise been established. I believe that more kids feel more connected to staff and school because of it. I have met so many students by having snacks available which has allowed me to have a greater impact on other areas of need for them. The entire school has come to know that food is available at school and when we are running low, students ask us, when are you getting more food. It has been a very positive program.”
