Weekend Bags Program Addresses Student Hunger in SMMUSD
Nearing the end of 2021, SMMUSD parent and longtime volunteer Patti Braun conceptualized a program that would address food insecurity in local households. Amid the pandemic, she had been asked to fund and distribute holiday gift cards to disadvantaged JAMS’ families, just one of the initiatives she had supervised in the past. As she further pried into the persisting issue of food insecurity, Braun reached a definitive conclusion: not enough was being done to assist low-income families within the district. After months of emails, countless meetings with district officials and hours of work, the Weekend Bags program was finally launched in Dec. 2021 with the help of Braun’s co-coordinator, SMMUSD parent and registered dietician Deb Novak.
Dalia Puchalt / The Samohi
In preparation for the weekend, the Hunger Awareness Club stands outside the storage room after packaging food.
Now, every Friday, all students can visit their house offices to collect a nondescript package for the weekend ahead of them. Packed into their reusable plastic bag are two breakfasts, two lunches and two snacks, all of which are simple and shelf-stable. Primarily supplied by the Westside Food Bank, the contents of each bag are carefully curated weekly by a dietician to meet federal standards, ensuring that every student is provided with nutritious meals in their time away from campus. Additionally, the entire process is confidential, guaranteeing the anonymity of all participants from the program’s coordinators and volunteer staff.
Weekend Bags was founded with the intent of addressing food insecurity specifically within a learning environment. When prompted with a question regarding her reasoning behind the program, Braun—the now Co-Coordinator of Weekend Bags—happily expanded on the matter at hand.
“We have 80-100 students throughout our district who are dependent on the free breakfasts and lunches in our school cafeterias, but who may go home to weekend food insecurity,” Braun said. “Food insecurity affects concentration, memory, mood and motor skills, all of which our students need to be successful in school.”
The Weekend Bags program is emblematic of Samo community values and exemplifies the feats that can be accomplished when people put their heads together. Spurred by a shared passion for goodwill amongst parents and students alike, Weekend Bags launched in a matter of months and has grown since. SMMUSD has provided space in the Discovery building, making the production process simple and efficient, with all bags assembled on campus. With no exterior funding, the process remains entirely operated by the volunteers, many of whom are under 18.
Samo’s student-led Hunger Awareness club frequently meets after school to help with packing and various other tasks. Co-President Finlay Ross (’25) explained the message behind the club, offering insight into its significance in the community.
“Our club’s purpose is to educate and inform students about food insecurity while also incorporating opportunities to help people who suffer from food insecurity,” Ross said. “It’s a wonderful mix of education and service to our community.”
The club meets on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month and offers volunteer hours to students interested in taking a spot in the assembly line.
“Students can come to pack Weekend Bags with us for an hour after school and receive a service hour,” Braun said. “We welcome clubs too! The next packing day is Tuesday, November 21st at 4:30 p.m. in D16 on the west side of the Discovery building, through the double doors just to the left of the loading dock. Follow the signs.”
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