Students at Sequoia High School in Everett will get fresh produce, meal kits and household basics after the school won a $4,500 grant to expand its food and hygiene pantry.
The Gesa Community Foundation awarded the money through its Local Heroes Grant Program, the Everett School District announced Monday, Oct. 19. Sequoia is an alternative high school serving grades 9–12 with 145 students enrolled. The school already operates a food and hygiene pantry on campus.
Teacher Crystal Cameron and student support advocate Heather Reid applied for the grant after noticing more students were relying on the pantry last school year. The district's announcement did not include specific numbers on pantry usage or say how much demand had grown.
The $4,500 will go toward fresh bread, vegetables, fruit, dairy products and seasonings for meal kits. It will also cover household essentials such as laundry detergent and dish soap, along with other hygiene items as needed.
"We are grateful for this grant and the opportunity to provide our students with the food and essential items they need," Cameron said in the district's announcement. "Having these resources available helps our students stay in school and focus on their education and success."
Sequoia's award is part of a larger round of funding. Gesa Credit Union and its foundation awarded 49 grants totaling more than $600,000 to organizations across the Pacific Northwest this year. The educator category alone distributed more than $110,000 across 13 organizations.
The program is funded through member debit-card transactions that generate donations to the foundation.
Amber Merrill, community relations manager at Gesa Credit Union, said in the district's announcement that the foundation is proud to support the educators and staff behind the pantry through the Local Heroes program.
The district has not said when students can expect the expanded pantry items to be available.
