Snack Support

Power the School Day with Snacks

Because Being Present Matters

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.

“Snacks are tiny interventions with a big ripple—attendance stabilizes, behavior cools, and kids re‑engage.” — Integrated Student Support Specialist

Quick Ways to Help

Give Online: Make a gift and we’ll purchase the highest‑need snacks in bulk.

Donate for Snacks

Shop & Ship: Send snacks directly to our office/schools via Amazon Wishlist.

Amazon Wishlist

Host a Mini‑Drive: Rally your workplace, faith group, or neighborhood.

Start a Snack Drive

Drop Off: Deliver sealed, CIS labeled, single‑serve snacks directly to any of our partner schools below:

Drop Off List Below:

🏫Arlington Elementary
3002 South 72nd Street
Tacoma, WA 98409

🏫Fern Hill Elementary
8442 South Park Avenue
Tacoma, WA 98444

🏫Gray Middle
6229 South Tyler Street
Tacoma, WA 98409

🏫Stewart Middle
5010 Pacific Avenue
Tacoma, WA 98408

🏫Oakland Secondary)
3319 South Adams St
Tacoma, WA 98409

🏫Lincoln High
701 South 37th Street
Tacoma, WA 98418

🏫Mount Tahoma High
4634 South 74th Street
Tacoma, WA 98409

Goal: Keep 2,500+ snacks flowing each month across seven partner schools so students can stay present and prepared all day long.

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

  1. 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.
  2. Can I donate fresh food? We can only accept sealed, single‑serve, shelf‑stable items at this time.
  3. Do you accept bulk packs? Absolutely—multi‑packs are perfect for school distribution.
  4. How do you ensure equity? Our staff allocate snacks across schools based on need, timing, and student schedules to ensure fair, consistent access.
8 student sitting around and on desks for their first FREE YA MIND group meeting at Gray Middle School.

“Having a quick snack between classes helps me not feel sick by lunch. I can actually focus.” — 9th‑grade student