For families in transition, the right grocery items are key to a sense of stability
Our pantry serves families in housing situations that often mean little-to-no kitchen access – hotels, doubled-up and mobile or in another situation that lends itself to food insecurity. We’ve worked with parents and caregivers to build a grocery list that works best for them, and have an alternative International grocery list that best suits newcomers to our school district. Find both lists below, as well as more information about hosting a drive (we’ll help with flyers, social media shares and logistical support) or shopping on your own and dropping off anytime!
Help us to keep
the HERO Pantry stocked!
The HERO Pantry is available exclusively to students who qualify for the HERO program and is accessed by MNPS social workers, counselors or other school support staff for families during critical, transitional moments.
We accept monetary donations, individual food donations, and work with community organizations to host monthly drives. We’d love for your group to be next!
Donate Funds
Send us a donation to help purchase specific food items, fill shelves when they’re bare and provide appropriate serving materials to families on the move.
Host a Drive
Hosting a food drive is one of the easiest ways to give children the nutrition they need to learn and grow. Learn more and download our Host A Drive Toolkit!
Want to Drop Off Groceries?
See our two grocery lists below. Items can be dropped off on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. -1 p.m. at Buena Vista Elementary School or email [email protected] for additional options.
Program in action
The HERO Pantry is available exclusively to students who qualify for the Metro Nashville Public School (MNPS) HERO program. The HERO Pantry is accessed by MNPS social workers, counselors or other school support staff for HERO families during critical, transitional moments. Some of these experiences can include:
- Recently losing housing and now unexpectedly dealing with inadequate food supply
- Being connected to local resources, but has a gap between when their food supply runs out and when they are able to secure grocery items
- Temporarily living in a hotel and needing hotel-friendly food
Our pantry is designed to fill in the gaps so no child goes to bed hungry. We are also in place to support families before and during school breaks, a time when children do not have access to school cafeterias.
Woodmont Christian Church was honored to partner with HERO to host a food drive for their emergency food pantry, and a group of Woodmont volunteers stocked the HERO Pantry shelves with the donated food. To say that our volunteers left that day with full hearts is an understatement. We truly don't have the words to say how much it meant to us, or to express how invaluable the work of HERO/Unicycle is to the city of Nashville.