This year, Fremont High School decided to clear out a whole room dedicated to the food pantry. 

Thanks to Besst Realty’s Catholic Community Services’ donations, there’s a freezer and fridge along with racks full of food. The best part? It isn’t just canned food, but also packs of ramen and mac ‘n cheese, spaghetti, chips, granola bars, frozen waffles, instant noodles and potatoes, cereal, and more. 

Food packs to take home from the weekend are also packaged up and ready to go with anyone who needs them. There are different foods available for all three meals of the day and if there is need for more, Fremont has the resources to get it through donations and sponsorships. 

The only problem is that students in need aren’t taking advantage of it. When most people think of food pantries or donations, they think of pity and the donors looking down on those who make use of it. This couldn’t be further from the truth. 

First off, “We use confidentiality and the student privacy component. We don’t want anyone to feel uncomfortable if they have these needs” explains Mrs. Mitchell. 

Second off, the food pantry can be used if there’s ever a time where you don’t know when your next meal will be or where it comes from. This is during a sudden catastrophe such as a house-fire or flooding or just if a student’s moved out of their parents’ house and can’t earn as much money during school. No one should feel guilty about needing any sort of help and the process is 100% private. 

So what is the process? If you feel you need help or even food for the weekend, you can ask your counselor or any teacher and they will take you into the pantry and let you take what you need. That’s it. But there aren’t many kids using the pantry just yet, so if you know someone that is in need of help, you can encourage them to go to a counselor. 

Lastly, if there are any clubs who want to help load the pantry with donations, please sign up with Mrs. Pollard to help the Student Council out. The food pantry is an amazing project that is made to help students and even families in the community surrounding Fremont High School. 

No one should feel ashamed for needing help. “We have good people in this community that want to help, and we have good people in this community that need help,” says Mrs. Bosgieter, “Don’t feel embarrassed about coming to your teachers.”