Hartford Public High School “Grub Pub” Opens

Hartford Public High School celebrated the grand opening of its on-campus food pantry, the “HPHS Grub Pub.” The pantry, located near the auditorium, will provide nutritious options and basic necessities to students and their families.

At a ribbon cutting on January 26, Stop & Shop presented a check for a $20,000 donation to help with the creation and expansion of the Grub Pub. Stop & Shop currently assists with food pantries at more than 165 schools across five states.

“Many in our communities have been forced to face the challenges associated with food insecurity as a result of COVID-19 and other economic factors, and students face a unique set of challenges,” shares Maura O’Brien, Stop & Shop Manager of Community Relations. “The Stop & Shop School Food Pantry Program is proud to add Hartford Public High School to its existing on-campus school food pantries across the Northeast, helping to ensure students have access to food so they can succeed both in their studies and in life outside of the classroom.”

The Grub Pub aims to bridge the hunger gap during the evenings and weekends when students do not have access to school cafeteria food. Providing access to food during off school hours has improved student mental health and financial strain on families.

“Donations and partnerships like this one from Stop & Shop are more than simple generosity,” explains Dr. Leslie Torres-Rodriguez, Superintendent of Hartford Public Schools. “It’s an investment in our beautiful and capable students, who despite many challenges and systemic inequities, deserve access to opportunity, the dignity that comes with food security, and all the resources needed to achieve success in their lives. I’m humbled by this support and grateful that these resources will impact our HPHS students in such a significant way.”

HPHS aims for the Grub Pub to be based in volunteerism and student-to-student support. 10-12 students from the school’s adult learning program will take turns each week working at the pantry, learning which items students and their families request based on dietary restrictions and preferences, cultural requests, and various family sizes and ages, making the pantry’s success a true Hartford community mission.

“Having the food pantry within our school walls has allowed us to meet the immediate needs that a lot of our students and families share,“ says Hartford Public High School Principal Flora Padro. “The Stop & Shop partnership helps Hartford Public High School achieve its goal of servicing the whole student where he/she needs it the most.”

Students who would like to use the food pantry can fill out an interest form here.