'Stocked to the brim': Amid SNAP concerns, food pantries pop up at Wauwatosa elementary schools

WAUWATOSA, Wis. (CBS 58) — Underwood Elementary School is now home to one of the newest free food pantries in Wauwatosa.

It's part of an effort by the Wauwatosa School District's parent-teacher organizations to put them outside as many school buildings as possible.

"Clearly, there was a need, and we wanted to address it as quickly as possible," said Jamie Jury, a representative from Underwood Elementary's PTO.

Underwood opened their pantry last week, and students helped to stock it.

"We have a student government body called Luminous Leaders, and they are actually at the forefront of this," Jury said.

The Luminous Leaders will collect donations and keep the pantry stocked and clean.

"I think it's really fun to help the school," said 5th grader Noah Brannin. "When I heard we were helping the community, too, that made me really happy, because I like to help people."

They are joining other schools in the district, like Roosevelt Elementary, who has operated a pantry outside the building since 2020.

"There's always been food that's available, but this is definitely stocked to the brim," said Rachel Waughlen, of Roosevelt's PTA.

Their pantry is now seeing more foot traffic and more donations than ever.

"It's really cool to see that when you ask people for things, that they actually respond," she said.

Their pantry is stocked with food, diapers, period products, and pet food.

It can be accessed for free by anyone, at any time.

"No one should go hungry, especially families with children and people in our community," Waughlen said.

Other pantries are popping up at Eisenhower, Lincoln, Wilson, and Jefferson Elementary.

"I think it's just important to have it available in places that are centrally located, and where students are coming, and can know that they can have access to food if they need it," Waughlen explained.

In an email to families on Friday, the Wauwatosa School District said there will not be any interruptions to their free and reduced school lunch program for the rest of the school year.

About 23% of the students in the district are eligible for free and reduced lunches. Families can still apply for those benefits if they haven't already.