Treehouse Pantry celebrated one year of service for district families Nov. 1 at community a drop-in event.
The pantry opened Oct. 25, 2021, at 802 W. Allen Ave. and distributed about one million pounds of perishable and non-perishable items during the 2021-22 school year, said Damon Donnell, Springdale Public Schools Student Services director.
The pantry served about 8,500 families, and some 50,000 student snack packs were provided to district schools during that same timeframe, he said. The district’s goal was to serve 3,000 district families its first year.
“We smashed our goal for serving students and families during the 21-22 school year,” Donnell said. “We’re now setting new goals to provide even more services.”
Treehouse Pantry is made feasible through strong community partnerships, said Trent Jones, Springdale Public Schools Communications director.
Tyson Foods has donated 200,000 pounds of protein valued at nearly $800,000 since the pantry opened, according to Kelly Hellbusch, Tyson Foods Communications representative.
“I am extremely proud of the amazing community partnerships we have established,” Donnell said. “Without these partnerships, the Treehouse Pantry would just be an empty building without resources to support Springdale students and families.”
The pantry was established in a 3,000-square-foot building purchased through an anonymous $400,000 donation from a Springdale High School graduate, Donnell said. The district paid about $250,000 and spent some $150,000 to remodel it.
Treehouse Pantry helps combat food insecurity in the region, he said.
Treehouse Pantry features free food, school supplies, health and hygiene items and essential clothing for district families, Donnell said.
The pantry is unique in Northwest Arkansas due to the wrap-around services it also provides students and their families, he said. District staff members help families connect with services such as food stamps, health care and community resources through the pantry.
“Springdale Schools looks forward to supporting district families through the Treehouse Pantry for many years to come,” Jones said. “We want families to know their school district is there to serve them through any circumstances.”
District students and families can access resources at the Treehouse Pantry by contacting a Springdale School's social worker, counselor or nurse, Donnell said.
