The El Paso Independent School District (EPISD) remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting students and their families with much-needed resources. The district's Community Schools initiative has proven itself more than a mere passageway to education; it has evolved into central hubs for nutritional assistance, partnering with vital community allies such as El Pasoans Fighting Hunger. Together, they provide a consistent supply of healthy food options to area households year-round, ensuring the welfare of the community doesn't go overlooked.
According to El Paso ISD, Assistant Director of Family and Community Engagement Simon Chandler emphasizes the initiative's broader purpose: "Our Community Schools work every day to support the well-being of our students and families," and Chandler reaffirms the district's commitment: "We want families to know that help and resources are always available when they need them." This ongoing project serves not only families with children enrolled in EPISD schools through Client Choice food pantries but also the larger community via public distribution sites.
Specific sites have been tailored to the needs of students within certain feeder patterns and are thus exclusive to their families. For instance, the Bowie Feeder Pattern's designated location is the Guillen Family Resource Center, available to those from Bowie High School and its corresponding middle and elementary schools. Similarly, families in the Jefferson, El Paso High, and Irvin Feeder Patterns have their respective resources at Zorrito's Grocery Store, Viva La Market, and Rocket Market, each aligning with their educational networks.
