Sixteen Tucson Unified Schools receive grants to help feed students during crisis
The Tucson Unified School District Food Services Department is responding to the dramatic surge in requests for food assistance during the COVID-19 crisis and is honored that Albertsons and Safeway along with the Albertsons and Safeway Foundation are helping to make it happen at 16 of our schools.
TUSD Food Services announced today that it received a $24,500 grant from the Help Feed Families During the Crisis fundraiser to fight hunger during the COVID-19 crisis and beyond. The campaign is part of the Albertsons/Safeway Nourishing Neighbors Community Relief Initiative.
Tucson Unified School District Food Services will use these funds to purchase cold storage and sanitation equipment for our mobile meals “Grab & Go” program that provides daily nutritious meals to thousands of TUSD students with the greatest needs. These funds will be used to directly support 16 elementary, middle and high schools within the District.
“Many schools are experiencing unprecedented demand for nutrition assistance as the pandemic takes an economic and emotional toll on our students and people throughout our community,” said Lindsay Agular, TUSD Food Services Director. “We’re grateful that Albertsons and Safeway and the Albertsons and Safeway Foundation stepped up to help us meet the need.”
The Nourishing Neighbors Community Relief Initiative was established to help local families impacted by the coronavirus pandemic and beyond. All funds are used to address the emergency in the following ways:
Keep food banks stocked so they can respond to increased demand
Support emergency meal distribution programs at schools
Support senior centers and other programs that provide meals and food to seniors
Help families access federal food programs
“We’re proud to support great schools like Blenman, Hollinger, Erickson and Grijalva Elementary, Doolen, Safford and Mansfeld Middle Schools and Rincon High School. who are leaning in farther during the pandemic to help their students,” said Michelle Larson, President of Albertsons Companies’ Southwest Division. “A child’s focus should be on learning, discovering and having fun, not whether they will be able to have lunch today.”
