More Than a Pantry: Da Vinci Nourish L.A. and the Power of Collective Care
This winter season, we are proud to celebrate the incredible impact of Da Vinci Nourish L.A., our network-wide food justice campaign rooted in dignity, belonging, and community care.
Over the course of five weeks, our pantry welcomed 75+ students, families, and staff members, all able to shop freely and confidentially for high-quality groceries and essentials, made possible through the tremendous generosity of our 201 schools, Da Vinci RISE, Connect TK-8, Connect High School, and supporters across our broader community. We are also grateful for support from the Da Vinci Schools Fund and for online donations, which further expanded our ability to serve families throughout the holiday season.
The pantry operated three days per week, offering both morning and afternoon hours to ensure accessibility. Da Vinci Communications student leaders provided vital support during Wednesday early-release days, while Da Vinci RISE conducted weekly pick-ups to keep operations running smoothly. We extend our deepest gratitude to our Nourish Champions—Erin Whalen, Debbie Evans, Sara Deulofeu, Carla Levenson, Gloria Perez, Casey Dykes, Jahmal Durham, Sarah Taylor, Ray Perez, Jonathan Crouch, and Vicente Bravo—whose leadership and coordination powered this initiative from vision to reality.
We also celebrate the inspiring student leadership of the Environmental Action Team (E.A.T.) and the National Honor Society at DVC, whose creativity, environmental consciousness, and commitment to service strengthened our food drives, outreach efforts, and pantry operations throughout the season.
As we move into the next phase of Nourish L.A., our priority remains ensuring every Da Vinci student and family—especially those experiencing housing instability under the McKinney-Vento Act—has equitable access to essential resources without creating barriers to school attendance or engagement.
Nourish L.A. will remain open briefly into Semester 2 to distribute remaining food items only. Because the temporary pantry space must return to its original use, no new items will be purchased. Perishables will be distributed immediately, and non-perishables will be shared through counselor referral until supplies run out, at which point the onsite pantry will officially close.
To continue supporting families, remaining funds will be redirected toward grocery gift cards, available through outreach and counselor referral. If you or someone you know needs support, please contact your campus counselor or Erin Whalen, Assistant Superintendent of Student Services, at ewhalen@davincischools.org. While this resource helps reduce barriers to school access, it cannot operate as a long-term food service. Erin or your counselor can connect families with ongoing community resources.
Thanks to the collective efforts of our staff, students, families, and partners, Da Vinci Nourish L.A. continues to nourish not only bodies, but the deep sense of care and community that defines Da Vinci.
