The WESD was proud to open its new Food Pantry with a special dedication ceremony on Monday, October 24 ! Thanks to a $50,000 grant from Thunderbird Charities and a partnership with the HonorHealth Foundation and Desert Mission Food Bank, the Food Pantry will serve the needs of WESD students and families. The pantry is located at Ocotillo Elementary School in the Washington Resource Information Center (WRIC), which is run by Enriqueta DiSanto, Haidi Chacon and Maria Calderas. In attendance at the event were Governing Board Vice President Nikkie Whaley, Governing Board Member Jenni Abbott-Bayardi, Assistant Superintendent for Academic Services Lori Mora, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Lyn Bailey and Ocotillo Principal Mandy Taylor. During the ceremony, Superintendent Dr. Paul Stanton spoke on behalf of the WESD.

Special thank you to Director of Social Services Dorothy Watkins and Director of Food Services Melissa Paulsen who worked collaboratively with the WRIC team and Anne Costa from the Desert Mission Food Bank to make this idea a reality to benefit our students and families!