Thank you to all who supported our emergency food/snack call to action! We are so grateful for the support and were able to get so much food out to students and families. We are now working on sustaining our snack support for the rest of the academic year.
“Snacks are tiny interventions with a big ripple—attendance stabilizes, behavior cools, and kids re‑engage.” — Integrated Student Support Specialist
Power the School Day with Snacks
When students are hungry, it’s harder to focus, learn, and feel safe. With recent decreases in partner funding, our shelves are running low—just as student need is rising. You can help us keep kids fueled and ready to learn by supporting the CIST Snack Drive.
Goal: Keep 2,500+ snacks flowing each month across seven partner schools so students can stay present and prepared all day long.
Quick Ways to Help
Give Online: Make a gift and we’ll purchase the highest‑need snacks in bulk.
Shop & Ship: Send snacks directly to our office/schools via Amazon Wishlist.
Host a Mini‑Drive: Rally your workplace, faith group, or neighborhood.
Drop Off: Deliver sealed, CIS labeled, single‑serve snacks directly to any of our partner schools below:
Items can be dropped off at our main CIS Office located in the portable behind Oakland Secondary. Please call to confirm a drop off time 253-571-5164, our hours are generally 8am-3pm.
🏫Oakland Secondary)
3319 South Adams St
Tacoma, WA 98409
What Kind of Snacks?
Top Needs (Single-Serve, Shelf-Stable, School-Safe)
- Granola bars, breakfast bars (nut‑free options welcome)
- Applesauce/fruit cups (no added sugar preferred)
- Crackers/pretzels, goldfish/cheddar crackers
- Beef/turkey jerky sticks
- Instant oatmeal cups
- Cup of noodles (chicken and beef)
- Chip variety boxes
Please Avoid: items with peanuts as a primary ingredient (we accept clearly labeled nut‑free options), glass containers, or anything expired/opened.
Dietary Considerations: We strive to offer nut‑free, halal, vegetarian, and low‑sugar choices. Labeled, inclusive options are appreciated.
Impact at a Glance
7 partner schools served every week
2,500+ snacks distributed monthly (and growing)
1 focused goal: help students stay present, calm, and ready to learn
Example impact of gifts (estimates—pricing varies):
- $25 ≈ snacks for one homeroom for a day
- $75 ≈ a student’s grab‑and‑go snacks for a month
- $250 ≈ one school’s morning pantry for a week
- $1,000 ≈ bridge the gap during a partner shortfall
How Your Gift Works
Integrated Student Support Specialists (our onsite school staff) distribute snacks during high‑need times—morning arrivals, between classes, and after school—so students can focus on learning.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is my donation tax‑deductible? Yes—financial gifts and in‑kind donations are tax‑deductible to the extent allowed by law. We’ll provide a receipt upon request.
- Can I donate fresh food? We can only accept sealed, single‑serve, shelf‑stable items at this time.
- Do you accept bulk packs? Absolutely—multi‑packs are perfect for school distribution.
- How do you ensure equity? Our staff allocate snacks across schools based on need, timing, and student schedules to ensure fair, consistent access.
“Having a quick snack between classes helps me not feel sick by lunch. I can actually focus.” — 9th‑grade student