At Snacks for Kids, we believe that every child deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive without hunger standing in the way. That mission recently brought us to Walnut Creek Elementary School in Raleigh, where we had the privilege of delivering nutritious snacks to support students and the dedicated staff who care for them every day.

Walnut Creek Elementary’s mission is clear and inspiring: “The staff at Walnut Creek Elementary School is committed to providing an enriching and equitable learning experience to all students, thereby strengthening our community’s investment in education.” After meeting members of the school’s leadership team, it is evident that this commitment extends far beyond academics. The staff’s deep care for their students can be seen in every interaction, every support service, and every effort they make to ensure children have what they need to succeed.

According to Wake County Public School System’s 2024–2025 District Facts by Year report, 69.80% of Walnut Creek Elementary students qualify for free and reduced-price breakfast and lunch. While those programs provide critical nutritional support, they do not include the daily classroom snack that many elementary students rely on to stay focused and energized throughout the school day.

This is where the partnership between schools and community organizations becomes so important. At Snacks for Kids, we recognize that no one understands the needs of students and families better than the educators, counselors, nurses, administrators, and support staff who serve them every day. Rather than distributing snacks directly to individual students, we provide snacks to the school staff, who then thoughtfully distribute them to classrooms and students as needs arise. This approach ensures that support is provided with dignity, compassion, and an understanding of each child’s unique circumstances. Our mission to ensure every student has access to a nourishing snack during the school day is at the heart of everything we do.

Following our May 27 delivery, the Walnut Creek team shared feedback that perfectly illustrates why this work matters.

Christina Jones, MSW, LCSWA, shared:

“Thank you again for your partnership and support of the students of Walnut Creek Elementary. I would like to share the appreciation expressed by our School Nurse and the Data Manager for providing the Yogurt Snacks. They stated they are a great resource for the students who are diabetic. Our sincerest appreciation to you and your organization.”

Lessie Anderson wrote:

“Thank you again for your partnership and for taking the time to visit Walnut Creek. We are truly grateful for your support and for the work that Snacks for Kids is doing in our community.

Access to snacks may seem like a small thing, but it makes a meaningful difference for our students—helping them stay focused, engaged, and ready to learn each day. Your generosity and commitment to supporting schools like ours are greatly appreciated, and it means a great deal to our students and staff.

Thank you for helping us care for our students in such a tangible way. We are grateful for your partnership and look forward to continuing to work together.”

School Counselor Loshonda Allen added:

“It was a pleasure meeting you and learning more about the important work of Snacks for Kids. Thank you again for supporting our students at Walnut Creek Elementary; your generosity truly makes a difference.

We appreciate you sharing your post, and we will be sure to help spread the word within our school community. We’re grateful for this partnership and look forward to continuing to work together to support our students.”

Messages like these remind us why we started Snacks for Kids. While a box of snacks may seem simple, the impact reaches much further. A snack can help a child focus during a lesson, participate in classroom activities, manage a health condition, or simply feel cared for during their school day.

At Snacks for Kids, we believe no child should struggle to learn on an empty stomach. Our mission is to ensure every student has access to a nourishing snack during the school day so they can stay focused, energized, and ready to thrive. By uniting families, educators, and community members, we’re nourishing children’s minds and hearts—one snack, one classroom, one act of kindness at a time.

We are honored to partner with Walnut Creek Elementary and grateful for the incredible staff who work every day to create an enriching, equitable, and supportive environment for their students. Together, we are helping ensure that every child has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive.