Food 4 Thought

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According to the 2013 Missouri Hunger Atlas, there has been a general increase in the amount of "food insecure" Missourians. Food insecure describes people who must reduce food intake and/or skip meals due to limited financial resources. Studies show students who lack food have a harder time focusing and learning. 

In 2014 the Hazelwood PTA Council, Hazelwood National Education Association (HNEA), and the Hazelwood School District partnered to organize Food 4 Thought. Food 4 Though is an operating food closet for students who are in need. The closet provides students who lack access to nutritious food at home with a reliable source of food for evenings, weekends, and other breaks from school.

The Food 4 Though closets are housed at four HSD high school sites: Hazelwood East, Hazelwood Central, Hazelwood West, and the Opportunity Center, but are used to support all HSD students who are in need. Non-perishable food items are used to stock the closets. Because the closet operate 100% on donations, continued support from the entire community is needed.