Seattle, WA – Thornton Creek Elementary is partnering with Hunger Intervention Program (HIP) to provide nutritious meals for students in the community who are at risk of weekend hunger when the school-based Free and Reduced-price Meal Program is not available. This is an innovative partnership where teachers, parents, and students come together to organize food drives and pack food for their neighbors in need. The weekend packs are based on a model developed by HIP, called Healthy HIP Packs, which was designed by a registered dietitian. HIP Packs aim to ensure a student’s nutritional needs are met for the weekend with two breakfasts, two lunches, two dinners, two snacks, and fresh fruits. This initiative builds on the successful partnership HIP pioneered two years ago with Bryant Elementary School.

Thornton Creek families have long volunteered with HIP to assemble weekend food backpacks for students in Seattle Public Schools. Now families are bringing that sense of community and advocacy back to their own school. “Thornton Creek looks forward to this partnership, to our growing awareness of childhood hunger in Seattle, and to joining our efforts with others to address childhood hunger,” says John Miner, principal of Thornton Creek Elementary. The school plans to donate around 600 Healthy HIP Packs on a quarterly basis to HIP. They are planning their first ever school-wide packing party on Wednesday, February 14th on Valentine’s Day. “It is heartening to see our communities come together to support students who are at risk of hunger,” says Srijan Chakraborty, Executive Director of HIP. “It takes all of us to make sure our kids have the opportunities to thrive.”

In Washington State, one in five children live in a food insecure household. It is our collective responsibility to make sure children have access to nutritious food so they can reach their full potential, not only because they are the future of this country, but also because it is the right thing to do. HIP is excited about this new partnership with Thornton Creek Elementary and the shared goal to improve food security in our community.

About Hunger Intervention Program:

The Hunger Intervention Program (HIP) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit with the mission to increase food security for underserved populations in North King County through nutritious meals, educational programs, and advocacy. Current HIP programs include Healthy HIP Packs, Senior Congregate Meals, Afterschool Meals, Nutrition and Cooking classes, Food Justice Workshops, and Summer Meals for Kids. For more information, visit our website at www.hungerintervention.org.

About Thornton Creek Elementary

Thornton Creek Elementary is a K-5 creative approach, alternative education (policy C54), option school in the Seattle Public School system located in Northeast Seattle. At Thornton Creek, the learning environment engages students in academically rigorous exploration and discovery through expeditionary learning. For more information, visit their school website at www.thorntoncreekes.seattleschools.org.