Pantry Packs

Why Pantry Packs?

Childhood Hunger in Utah

  • Each night in Utah, 1 in 9 children is at risk of going to bed hungry [source: Utah Food Bank]
  • Davis county has nearly 16,000 students (more than 20%) who qualify for free and reduced lunch
  • When children are hungry, it’s difficult for them to learn, behave appropriately, or stay healthy

The Pantry Pack program alleviates hunger for our most at-risk children by providing meals and snacks for the weekends when school meals are not available to them.

The pantry works closely with Davis School District, who distributes these packs, and individual charter schools.

Who gets Pantry Packs?

We provide approximately 3400 Pantry Packs to students across more than 80 schools throughout Davis County each week.

What are Pantry Packs?

Packs are filled with two meals, two breakfasts, snacks and drink mix – all of which can be prepared by young children.

To learn a little more about what Pantry Packs are and why we do them, please see the video below by with the Davis School District Pantry Pack Coordinator, our former Executive Director. (Note that it shows the original Pantry Pack and mentions early metrics.)

Want to get involved?

There are numerous ways to support this program, but first a few lessons learned that are important to note:

  • Consistency between packs and from week to week is very important.
  • Items should be packed in a specific way so that items are not damaged when transported to schools.
  • Advance coordination with the pantry is necessary to ensure:
    • Standard and effective packaging
    • Transportation of the packs to the pantry is arranged if they are assembled off site

Ways to contribute    Pantry Pack Guide

  • Donate items used to create Pantry Packs
    • Quart-size bag with zip lock (name brands work best)
    • Easy Mac (Do not use cups or boxes - see pictures in guide for clarification)
    • Instant oatmeal packets
    • Applesauce or fruit squeeze-pouch
    • Granola bars
    • Individual size peanut butter crackers or crackers with cheese
    • Fruit snacks (individual size)
    • Drink mix
    • Pantry Pack note (no seasonal or holiday themes)
  • Assemble Pantry Packs during family night at the pantry (click here to sign up)
  • Donate money designated for Pantry Packs via check or online
  • Organize an event to assemble packs with your neighborhood, classroom, church group, or family (view KUTV segment for ideas)

Learn more about assembling Pantry Packs by checking out our Assembly Guide video below. 

If you decide you would like to take on a Pantry Pack project, please complete this form. Use our   Pantry Pack Calculator to determine the number of cases to order for each item based on the number of Pantry Packs you want to do with a corresponding budget.

During the 2022-2023 school year, we distributed over 114,000 Pantry Packs to children through more than 80 schools within Davis County.