Kenmore Cupboard

Did you know that nearly 1 in 8 children in Washington are facing hunger? 

At Kenmore Middle School our students face hunger at an even higher rate: 1 in 4 students are considered low-income based on federal poverty standards. The number increases for students who are food insecure.

Currently we go through 100 snacks per day on average, which is 20,000 snacks needed per year! 

When students are food insecure, learning outcomes suffer. Food insecurity affects concentration, memory, mood, and motor skills, all of which a child needs to be successful in school. Research shows that food insecurity is closely related to behavioral challenges in schools as well.

Kenmore Middle School Parents and Teachers banded together to remove barriers to education for our middle school students by providing nutrient dense snacks during the school day to students facing food insecurity. The goal of the Kenmore Cupboard is to allow children to discretely access snacks at school without fear or stigma.

When the Kenmore Cupboard was implemented in 2022, our school nurse reported it was the best year of her career because fewer children were in her office due to hunger. Our principals have reported that children can regulate behavior better when they are fed, and our teachers report having accessible snacks in their classroom has removed barriers to education.

Please consider supporting our school and children by donating to the Kenmore Middle School with the memo line in your check stating Kenmore Cupboard, bringing nutrient dense snack foods to our school office at Kenmore Middle School, or purchasing items through our Amazon Wish List.