Westlawn is thrilled to begin a food sharing program in the cafeteria starting on September 30. The program, which is a part of the FCPS Get2Green initiative, will allow students who receive cafeteria lunch to donate specific items from their lunch to the food sharing basket. Westlawn staff will then carry the food sharing basket around the cafeteria during lunch time, and students who would like an additional item from the basket may take one.

Students are learning about the food sharing program this week in their classrooms during Morning Meeting. Classroom teachers will be using a slide deck designed to highlight both the “how” and the “why” of the program. The team at Westlawn took special care to emphasize that the food sharing program is for all students, so that students experiencing food insecurity do not feel singled-out by the initiative. Families are invited to view the slide deck preview video below to become familiar with the program and the way in which it will be introduced to students.

At this time, the foods eligible for the food sharing program are shelf-stable, sealed foods from the cafeteria, including packets of Craisins or crackers, and whole fruits. Westlawn staff are hoping to add a refrigerator so that the program can also be expanded to include foods requiring refrigeration, such as small cartons of milk or yogurt. If you are interested in learning more about this program or other Get2Green intiatives, or helping to procure a small refrigerator, please contact Mrs. Maxwell.