Model and Strategy
Spark* SF Public Schools is a non-profit organization dedicated to building private partnerships in support of the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD). Spark* invests in high-need areas across the city’s public school system, all in service of driving innovation and equity.
Through the Spark* Wellness initiative, we help to close the hunger gap for students by partnering with SFUSD’s Student Nutrition Services (SNS). SNS is the largest food service provider in San Francisco, serving over 37,000 meals daily during the normal school year (with over 50% of students qualifying for free or reduced priced meals).
Since COVID-19 prompted school closures in March, SNS has provided more than 3 million breakfast, lunch, and supper meals to the city’s most vulnerable residents. With support from Spark*, SNS has been able to meet community needs through emergency grab-and-go meal distribution sites, a home delivery program for students with special needs, and CBO partnerships to ensure that children have access to free, healthy meals even while schools are closed. Funding from the Battery will enable us to expand our door-to-door home delivery program.
Impact
Provide a much needed service to San Francisco’s most vulnerable residents and underserved neighborhoods (such as Treasure Island and the Tenderloin)
Expand the number of students and families receiving free and healthy meals through our door-to-door delivery model (from 200 to 840 children per week)
Expand access to healthy meals served through our door-to-door delivery model (from 3,000 meals per week to 12,600 meals per week)
Leadership
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Jennifer LeBarre
Executive Director, Student Nutrition Services, SFUSD
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Iris Hu
President, Spark* SF Public Schools