Essential Needs
“These aren’t just financial gaps; they are moments that determine whether a student can come to school focused, stable, and ready to learn.”
– Ernesto Marin, BUSD Family Engagement Specialist
Meeting family essential needs is fundamental to students’ ability to come to school ready to learn.
As a foundational pillar of the Schools Fund’s work, Essential Needs supports students and families beyond the classroom through food security, emergency financial assistance, and other district-wide initiatives throughout the year.
2025–26 Impact
0+
pounds of groceries distributed to 830+ BUSD families
0+
high school students accessed fresh fruit and nutritious snacks
$0
in Family Emergency Fund assistance for 100+ BUSD families
Food Security
Fall Food Pantry hosted at Franklin Preschool.
School-Site Food Pantries & Home Grocery Delivery
Connects BUSD families with fresh, nutritious groceries through monthly school-site food pantries and bi-weekly home grocery delivery, in partnership with the Berkeley Food Network.
High School Food Equity Project
Expands access to fresh fruit and nutritious snacks throughout the school day, helping ensure high school students have the food they need to learn, participate, and thrive.
Students and staff of BHS’s RISE program, along with School Support Volunteers.
Family Emergency Fund
Provides direct, short-term financial assistance to BUSD families facing urgent housing, health, and financial challenges, helping families navigate crises and maintain stability.
Supported in partnership with Berkeley school PTAs and the Berkeley High School Development Group.
Annual School Supply Giveaway
Families gathered at the 26-27 School Supply Giveaway.
Helps students start the school year ready to learn by providing families with free school supplies, backpacks, and connections to community resources.
This year, the School Supply Giveaway provided 1,200+ school supply kits and 300 backpacks to nearly 600 Berkeley families.
Co-sponsored with the BUSD Office of Family Engagement and Equity.
Interested in donating or supporting the School Supply Giveaway?
Contact: sallymclaughlin@schoolsfund.berkeley.net