Standing as a beacon of hope against food insecurity in the Sarnia community, Patty’s Pantry aims to keep the school community fed beyond the hours of the school day. Led by Jaxon Hudie, Coady Davies, Carter Lambert, and Xavier Toogood—students from Mrs. Woodward’s Grade 12 Business Leadership class—and in partnership with Enactus at Lambton College, this initiative is filling a critical gap in the school community.

Patty’s Pantry joins existing efforts to bolster student nutrition and combat food insecurity within the school community. St. Pat’s already boasts a breakfast program and student lunch support, ensuring students receive consistent and adequate nutrition vital for learning and development. Furthermore, the school organizes regular food drives to gather essential items like food, health, and hygiene products. What distinguishes Patty’s Pantry is the vision of establishing a sustainable, open-access pantry that aims to provide delicious and nutritious food items for students and families to use beyond the hours of the school day.

On May 1, 2024, Chris Kehoe, Superintendent of Education met with Mrs. Woodward, and Principal Daniella Mancusi to congratulate student leaders on the ongoing success of their initiative.

The pantry space is abundant, comprised of a fridge, freezer, and classroom cupboard. Since its launch earlier this year, student leaders have restocked the pantry’s shelves with fresh, frozen, and non-perishable food items multiple times, highlighting the pressing demand for support as the cost of living continues to rise.

Parents, students, and the public are urged to contribute by donating food items directly to the St. Pat’s office or make monetary donations through School Cash online. Items like peanut butter, healthy frozen dinners, and frozen french fries are particularly in demand.