In Berkeley, a city known for its resources and progressive values, an alarming 1 in 3 students face socio-economic barriers, contributing to one of the nation’s largest achievement gaps. Guided by our mission to champion equitable public education, the Berkeley Public Schools Fund is the leading organization dedicated to bridging opportunity gaps district-wide, ensuring resources reach the areas of greatest need within BUSD.
Guided by our Theory of Change, the Schools Fund identifies Basic Needs as the foundation of all other work. For when students are hungry, they struggle to focus, participate or attend school altogether. The Schools Fund supports our students and their families with basic needs so that all learners come to school ready to learn.
The Schools Fund addresses basic needs through a primary commitment to food security within BUSD. We currently facilitate three different programs that connect food to students and families in need. These are only possible because of strong partnerships, committed donors, and the power of our School Support Volunteer community.
Essential Nourishment: School Site Food Pantries
The Schools Fund partners with the district’s Office of Family Engagement & Equity and the Berkeley Food Network to hold monthly, on-campus food pantries that have served over 500 BUSD families, while prioritizing their dignity and choice.
At each event, grocery bags full of fresh produce and healthy grocery items are provided by the Berkeley Food Network to over 50 district families at no cost. These pantry events enable families to select the foods that best suit their needs. Word is spreading and attendance at these events continues to grow!
For some families, these pantries are truly a lifeline. Family Engagement Specialist Erika Hawkins at Washington Elementary shared a story of a family visiting the pantry for the first time.
“One mom seemed hesitant at first, but I reassured her that everything was free. She was so thankful, and shared that her family was down to their last meal until the following week. She came in, gathered some food, and when her child came out of school, they were so excited that we let them pick up a few more items.”
Volunteers are key to the food pantries’ success
Pantry events would not be possible without the Schools Fund’s School Support Volunteers.
Each month when the Berkeley Food Network van arrives on-site full of fresh food, our volunteers get to work setting up tables, welcoming families, and assisting them with their selections. More than 25 of our volunteers have supported pantries so far, with many returning for multiple events.
Supporting Priority Populations with Home Delivery of Groceries
Some of our community’s families face significant challenges accessing food on their own. These include personal challenges, like illness or disability, as well as systemic challenges, like lack of adequate transportation and unstable housing.
Through a District-Schools Fund-Berkeley Food Network partnership, the Home Delivery program was created to serve priority families. Each week, volunteers pick up grocery bags filled with fresh produce, proteins, and healthy staples from the Berkeley Food Network, and deliver them directly to families’ homes. The program delivers almost 1000 grocery boxes each year to priority families.
OFEE Specialist Carol Perez has referred BUSD families to home delivery who lived in the Golden Gate Fields racetrack complex. Like many BUSD families, they were navigating difficult day-to-day challenges including high food costs, housing insecurity, and inconsistent access to transportation. The grocery deliveries provided them with a reliable source of food and the recognition that our school community cared about their well-being.
The School Support Volunteers who comprise the home delivery team are a dedicated bunch. Volunteer Chris Edmunds, who regularly delivers groceries by bicycle to three families, is glad to be able “to actually do something to better our community.”
Long time delivery volunteer Kitty Keenan feels she benefits in return. “The families we serve are lovely and are truly appreciative of our help. I really enjoy the personal connection I make when I hand over a box of groceries to a family.”
Promoting On-Campus Food Equity for BUSD High Schoolers
The inequities of food security are also evident in our high schools, where not all students get the food they need during and after the school day. With focused funding from a community donor, the Schools Fund facilitates snacks and on-the-go food for 15 campus groups representing over 850 priority students each, thereby converting calories into stronger attendance and increased classroom focus. Some of the program’s beneficiary groups include Bridge, RISE, the Family Resource Center, and the Wellness Center.
Educators know both the necessity and power of providing food. Berkeley High Counselor Megan Potsemil sees the need each day.
“Everyday, I talk to students that come to school without having eaten breakfast, and without lunch in their backpacks. Being fed is essential to success in the classroom.”
Lety Amezcua works in Berkeley High’s Family Resource Center, and sees food as a way to connect with students.
“Food is the hook to get students to come in, engage, start a conversation. It opens the door to communication.”
Jessie Luxford is the lead educator for the BHS Bridge program, which provides academic intervention and college readiness support to students throughout their four years at Berkeley High, many of whom are first generation college-going and face socioeconomic challenges. Jessie knows that providing food is critical to creating a safe and strong learning community, as do her students:
“The snacks that you provide offer good fuel after a long energy draining day of school, and in some cases give kids who live in food deserts more chances for food. I know many students who joined Bridge compelled by the snacks, who then end up investing in their futures permanently.”
Partnership is the Key
Our partners, donors and volunteers make this work possible.
The Schools Fund’s primary partner in basic needs support is the district’s Office of Family Engagement & Equity. This dedicated team serves priority families currently underserved in our district, with a focus on promoting successful outcomes for all students.
The Schools Fund acts not only as core funding partners
but as thought partners as we develop ways to most
equitably and effectively serve our families. Supporting
the Schools Fund is a way to support an equitable
community and make education more accessible for
our most vulnerable students.
– Lydia Gebrehiwot, OFEE Supervisor
Since 2019, another critical partner in the Schools Fund’s basic needs work has been the Berkeley Food Network (BFN). As the source of nutritious food, BFN strategizes with the Schools Fund and OFEE to provide the most effective, efficient and dignified means to connect families to nourishment.
Berkeley Food Network is immensely grateful for our partnership with the Schools Fund. As BFN aims to get food to those who need it throughout Berkeley and Alameda County, we are able to support the community more deeply with the dedication of volunteers and staff from the Schools Fund.
– Emma Greenberg-Bell, Pantry Programs Manager Berkeley Food Network
The Schools Fund’s roster of over 750 School Support Volunteers make much of our basic needs support possible through their dedicated time, skills and desire to make a meaningful difference.
Only when students’ basic needs are met can the vision of the Berkeley Public Schools Fund – that public school students of all identities and life experiences thrive at school and in life – be fully realized.