At the Lake Washington Schools Foundation, we often talk about removing barriers to learning. Few barriers are more immediate or more invisible than hunger. That’s why Pantry Packs—our weekend food program for students in need—is so crucial. While donors and volunteers play a vital role behind the scenes, school counselors like Stacey O’Brien and Megan Melby see the direct impact of this program every single week.
We interviewed these two local elementary school counselors to hear firsthand how Pantry Packs is supporting students at their schools—and changing lives in the process.
“These kids are our future.”
—Megan Melby, School Counselor, Juanita Elementary School
In a city like Kirkland, food insecurity might not be immediately visible—but it’s very real. At Juanita Elementary, 38 students from preschool through fifth grade receive Pantry Packs every week.
“We live in a very affluent area, so people may not think there’s a need,” says counselor Megan Melby. “But that need is here. Monday mornings can be a mystery—sometimes you just don’t know what students experienced over the weekend.”
That’s why she makes sure every Friday, each pack is tucked into backpacks—no questions asked. These black bags, as the students call them, are met with excitement and relief.
“They know what snacks are in there. They look forward to it. They feel secure,” Megan shares. “And when a student tells me thank you, I think of the immense work behind the scenes—volunteers, donors, warehouse staff—and I want them to hear that thank you too.”
Pantry Packs are thoughtfully curated to meet the needs of families in a variety of living situations, including those without access to a kitchen or microwave.
“It’s such an incredible, streamlined program that guarantees food in students’ stomachs every weekend. And the impact is felt—not just by students, but by families and school staff too.”
Megan’s message to the community is simple:
“Please support Lake Washington Schools Foundation and the Pantry Packs Program. These kids are our future educators, engineers, and leaders. We have to believe that every child matters—and that we all play a part in their success.”
“You’re healing a lot of hearts.”
—Stacey O’Brien, School Counselor, Ben Franklin Elementary School
When Stacey O’Brien moved to Washington, she was immediately struck by the quality and organization of the Pantry Packs program.
“This is the most efficient, well-run, well-managed Pantry Packs program,” she says. “I was very impressed seeing the quality of food going out and how organized it is—especially considering it’s such a huge endeavor to take on every week.”
Each Friday, Stacey ensures that food packs are discreetly placed in students’ backpacks—no fanfare, no spotlight, just quiet care.
“We don’t want any of our students to feel pointed out or different in any way,” she explains. “Food insecurity is real—right here in America. Every day there are kids that go hungry.”
She shares a powerful memory of a former student in the program who now keeps a snack by her bedside table as a symbol of how far she’s come—and to make sure she’ll never go hungry again.
“I hope you’ll consider donating to Lake Washington Schools Foundation. You may never know exactly how your contribution impacts a student—but I guarantee you, you’re filling hungry bellies and healing a lot of hearts.”
About the Pantry Packs Program
Pantry Packs, a program of the Lake Washington Schools Foundation, provides weekend food packs for more than 1,000 students each week across 43+ schools in the Lake Washington School District. Volunteers have pack and distribute over 30,000 meals annually, ensuring that students facing food insecurity can return to school on Monday nourished and ready to learn.
The program’s success relies on a strong network of community support—from donations and food drives to monthly pack events and weekly school deliveries. Together, we’re breaking down barriers to education and helping every child thrive.
Want To Make A Difference?
Your donation brings security, dignity, and opportunity to students across our community through impactful programs like Pantry Packs, Lunch Buddies, Care Solace, and more.
Make our donation today at www.lwsf.org/donate.
Megan Melby, school counselor at Juanita Elementary School
Community members volunteer regularly at our warehouse to assemble food packs.
Bonnie Leung, LWSF Communications Chair, and Stacey O’Brien, Ben Franklin Elementary School Counselor
Microsoft employees volunteer at the warehouse during October’s Month of Giving.
Each Pantry Pack includes a variety of healthy and nutritious snack items
Members of our Pantry Packs leadership team connect with caring community members at our 2025 Be the Bridge Spring Benefit.
The Pantry Packs Leadership Team procures food items using funds from our generous donors.
Our Pantry Packs team performs nutritional analyses of our foods packs to ensure they are high in nutritional value.
