Across the National School Pantry Network (NSPN), schools are using their funding in practical and compassionate ways to make food support more accessible, while creating opportunities to connect with families and strengthen community wellbeing. Here is what New Bewerley Community School are doing.
Model: Pantry
Focus: Choice, accessibility and family support
At New Bewerley Community School, NSPN funding is being used to enhance the school’s existing food support offer alongside donations from local charity Hamara. Each week, the school collects donated staples such as tinned pulses, chickpeas and lentils, while NSPN funding enables families to access additional essentials including flour, yeast, stock cubes, pasta, tinned fruit, tuna, sardines, long-life milk, fresh carrots and apples.
Families are invited to collect what they need, ensuring there is enough for everyone while maintaining dignity and choice. Children also enjoy picking up a fresh apple or carrot as a healthy snack at the end of the school day.
Choice: Shaped by Families
The school’s Inclusion Team regularly speaks with parents and carers to understand what foods would be most useful. Feedback showed that many families cook meals from scratch and value ingredients such as flour and yeast that allow them to prepare affordable meals at home.
By listening to families, the school has been able to create a pantry offer that reflects real needs and supports household food budgets in meaningful ways.
Beyond Food Provision: Building Connections
The pantry is located on the playground, making it easy for families to access without needing to come into the school building. This removes barriers and creates a welcoming environment where support feels natural and accessible.
The pantry has also enabled the Inclusion Team to spend more time on the playground, building relationships with families, offering informal support and signposting to additional services such as Zarach and other community organisations.
Importantly, the pantry helps address challenges around accessibility. Local food banks can be difficult for families to reach and carrying food home can be a barrier. By providing support directly through the school community, families can access food conveniently and with dignity.
Impact Highlights
- Families can access food support in a familiar and trusted setting
- Food choices are shaped by family feedback and preferences
- Fresh fruit and vegetables are available for families and children
- Stronger relationships are being built between families and the Inclusion Team
- Families are connected to wider support services when needed
- School staff no longer need to rely on personal food donations to support families
The National School Pantry Network is helping New Bewerley Community School make food support more accessible, more dignified and more connected to the wider needs of families.
If your school would like to strengthen family food security and build a more resilient school community, join the National School Pantry Network today.
