Hillsdale Peace Pantry
Hillsdale recognizes more than ever a dramatic rise in cost of living in our community. The cost of rent coupled with the high cost of living in San Mateo has put significant financial pressure on many of our Hillsdale students and families which has been exacerbated by Covid-19. Hillsdale believes strongly in rallying our community to support our families who have been impacted the most by Covid and is asking for your help. Hillsdale, in partnership with the PTSO is asking for your help in starting the Hillsdale Peace Pantry.
Hillsdale opened our Peace Pantry in May of 2019 serving just over 25 families through a small Pantry stocked with donated items and goods purchased with donated funds. Since then, the need has grown significantly and we now are serving nearly 150 families.
We are proud to announce that we exceeded our goal of raising $80,000 through our Holiday Giving Campaign. Thanks to so many members of our Hillsdale/Bridge Staff, Parents, Alumni and Community Members donating to this campaign it will allow us to keep our Peace Pantry open.. The additional money raised will go directly to specific families hardest hit by the pandemic. Make no mistake, families will continue to need the support of our Peace Pantry in the near term. (Food Insecurity-Mother Jones Article)
Every Friday, our Peace Pantry has provided 130 families with a week’s worth of Second Harvest’s healthy food including fresh fruit and vegetables, dry goods and dairy items. In addition, thanks to our community, we have now raised close to $500,000 since March 2020. These donations support our ability to buy 140 bags of cultural food staples each week from Mi Rancho Market in San Mateo to supplement what we receive from Second Harvest. Ultimately, our Peace Pantry would not exist without the tireless efforts of our dedicated volunteers who show up each week to load boxes of food and make deliveries each Friday morning.
In closing, I would like to share one of my favorite quotes from Coretta Scott King, “The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.” Equity work comes in many forms but it is often the quiet actions in service of others which speak the loudest. Thank you for your compassion and for taking action. May you and your family have a safe and hopeful 2024.
Please help us continue this work by donating to the Peace Pantry.
Thank You for Your Support!
Brett Stevenson
Hillsdale Dean of Students