School Fuel San Marcos provides over 1,400 San Marcos CISD, or SMCISD, students with food each weekend during the school year. The local nonprofit organization works to ensure students who struggle with hunger at home have access to food.
The overview
Over 75% of school-aged children qualify for the federal free/reduced lunch program, but most go home each weekend with little to no food, according to the organization’s website. School Fuel San Marcos began its service in 2013, providing sacks of food to 31 homeless students.
The students receiving the sacks saw overall improvement in school and less visits to the school nurse with head or stomach aches.
“We chose to go through the schools because it ultimately supports students’ education,” said Carrie Cordero, School Fuel San Marcos executive director. “They focus better, spend less time in the nurses office with aching stomachs and are able to spend more time in class.”
The organization provides sacks of food to students at every SMCISD campus, from kindergarteners through twelfth graders, every weekend of the school year. On average, it costs $225 to feed one student for the school year, according to the organization's website.
“All kids get free breakfast and lunch every day of the school week, but on the weekends, that reliable food source goes away,” Cordero said. “We try to bridge the gap that is needed.”
The details
Operations at School Fuel San Marcos are fully handled by community volunteers. The nonprofit gets volunteers from local organizations, Texas State University students and community members, Cordero said.
The organization needs 60 volunteers every week to pack the sacks of food. There are two shifts at different times each week, both requiring at least 30 volunteer participants.
“Volunteers are majority community members that hear about us and come,” Cordero said. “We had a great time packing the bags. A lot of people sign up with their friends and it's fun.”
School Fuel San Marcos is funded through government grants, including from the city of San Marcos, private foundation grants and individual donations.
“There's a place for everybody to be involved,” Cordero said. “If you are physically able, you can come and do packing nights with us. If not, if you like to do other things or you have other skills, we're always looking for volunteers and people to join.”
