Groups of students sit in the upper Commons during their off block. Their discussions include school work, after-school activities, gaming, and sharing the video they are watching on their phones.
While they put on a brave face for their friends, 2024 numbers from Englewood Schools put the students on free and reduced lunches at between 60-66%. More than half of the student population at Englewood benefits from food support in some capacity. That also means a large number of students worry about their next meal.
“It’s very scary. My mom and I have always struggled with food, but since the government shutdown, it has been worse. It is hard to watch my mom struggle to find food for our family. I’m only 17. I can only do so much. It is a lot to have on your shoulders,” said one senior who asked to remain anonymous, “I know that there are a lot of people struggling. I feel alone. I don’t know how others will look at me.”
This student is looking for a way to help her mother, “Looking for food banks is hard. We don’t know where to go.”
Englewood Schools operates the Englewood Schools Family Resource Center at Colorado’s Finest High School of Choice. It is located at 300 W. Chenango Ave. in Englewood. The facility is full of resources for families, including food, hygiene items, and school supplies.
While the posters say the Open House for the Resource Center is the first Wednesday of the month, families can call or email the Englewood District liaison to schedule a time that works for you:
Clarice Fortunato
District Family, School, Community, and MKV Liaison
clarice_fortunato@engschools.
(303) 806-6916
“I think there might be some confusion, as I’ve heard families say they thought they could only come on the Open House days (the first Wednesday of the month). We are happy to schedule a time that works for them,” Clarice Fortunato said.
She also said she now has a grant-funded staff member to support the Resource Center.
The effects of food prices not only affect families who will struggle to make it through the next few weeks, but programs at Englewood High School that rely on food products struggle as well.
Chef Jacob Cain runs the Culinary Arts program at EHS. The classes include courses like Culinary Essentials, Baking & Pastry, and the nationally certified ProStart program. Students learn foundational culinary skills, food safety, and menu planning.
Every single class needs groceries to function. Chef Cain has seen the price of food fluctuate over his time at Englewood. “I have been purchasing food from local vendors (King Soopers, Costco, Shamrock Foods, etc.) for many years, both professionally and personally. Prices have been steadily increasing over the past few years. For example, spending 150 dollars for a week’s worth of groceries for my family was alarming four years ago. Now it’s the minimum we expect.”
Cain has had to change the recipes and the types of food he buys because of the changing costs of certain items. “We have to make many adjustments to recipes, especially for culinary classes. We simply can’t afford to purchase all the necessary ingredients to supply the number of students taking culinary classes. I will purchase imitation vanilla instead of actual vanilla, as an example.”
Cain points to one particular item that has seen dramatic fluctuations over the last year, “The biggest challenge recently was the fluctuation in egg prices. At one point last year, 2024, eggs cost $1.50 each, and I usually buy cases with 5 dozen eggs. This morning, I purchased 10 common food items at Sprouts and spent $90. I had to look over the receipt a few times to make sure something hadn’t been scanned incorrectly.”
He joins families across the city and around the country who are concerned about how much money he is spending versus how much he brings in. “Most of the money I spend on food will not be sold or make any money back for the program. We have to be creative in the ways we raise funds. Especially since consumers are not willing to pay more, even though food is costing more. If people expect to only have to pay $5 per person for a meal, they will not be able to afford much these days,” Cain says he gets a lot of support from the Englewood community, “that is excited to support our school programs.”
