It’s back to school for nearly 600 kids at Northwest Middle School.
"When they go home a lot of our families are struggling," James Yapias, Salt Lake Education Foundation spokesperson, told FOX13.
He says nearly 90% of the student body at the school are living below the poverty line.
"Sometimes food is something that's missing at home," he said. "Hunger can create a lot of stress, and social and emotional issues for our students."
According to Yapias, almost half of the students use the fully-stocked pantry on school property free of charge.
They can find everything from loaves of bread and canned goods to baby formula and hygiene products.
"We go to Smith's a stock it once or twice a week," Yapias explained, "It's also culturally-sensitive stuff, so rice, oil. Things they need on a day-to-day basis."
James says the food fills hungry stomachs and hearts, as well.
"Our parents when they come here they are in tears sometimes."
To find more information about the pantry click here.
