GALILEO MIDDLE SCHOOL — A new neighborhood resource opened this month at Galileo Middle School designed to deliver fresh food, hands-on learning and community support to families in Colorado Springs.
School and nonprofit partner to provide fresh produce, pantry items
The Ascend food pantry, operated through a partnership between Galileo Middle School and the nonprofit Joint Initiatives, formally opened with a small celebration last week. Organizers say the pantry has already assisted 22 families since opening.
School leaders said the pantry will be stocked in part from a newly established community garden on campus. Sixth-grade students have been involved in planting and maintaining garden beds, performing tasks such as pulling weeds and watering plants. The school also plans to use garden produce in its cafeteria and to share with other schools.
“Oftentimes as we get closer to the holiday season with Thanksgiving and winter break and even Halloween, there’s families and kids that don’t get to celebrate, perhaps like other students. And so this food pantry can really be of assistance for those kids and those families.”
That comment was made by Galileo Middle School Principal Jeffrey Sterk, who emphasized the pantry’s role in filling gaps families report to school staff.
Community-driven services beyond food
Joint Initiatives said the effort is part of a broader strategy to respond to community-identified needs. In addition to food, Sterk said the school looks at requests for academic support, mental health services, clothing and even basic household conveniences.
- Current offerings: Ascend food pantry, community garden beds and student garden work
- Planned options: “Adopt-a-bed” opportunities for community members to build and tend their own garden plots
- Potential future services: academic or mental health support, clothing assistance, washer/dryer services
Joint Initiatives representatives indicated there will soon be opportunities for residents to adopt a garden bed and cultivate individual plots, further tying the campus resource to neighborhood stewardship.
How families can access help and get involved
The pantry operates through the school–nonprofit partnership, and organizers have encouraged families seeking assistance or neighbors interested in participating to reach out directly to Joint Initiatives. The contact provided for signups and questions is KMcDaniel@jointinitiatives.org.
| Resource | Status |
|---|---|
| Ascend food pantry | Open; has served 22 families |
| Community garden | Operational; student involvement and future adopt-a-bed program |
School administrators framed the pantry and garden as practical responses to needs parents and students express to staff. Sterk described the project as part of an effort to ask the community what it needs and then deliver those services.
The initiative follows a growing trend among Colorado Springs schools and nonprofits to house social services on campus to reduce barriers to access for families. By combining a food pantry with a community garden and volunteer opportunities for students, Galileo aims to provide immediate food relief while offering educational experiences tied to nutrition and stewardship.
Organizers said they will monitor usage and community feedback as they expand services and programs. For now, the Ascend food pantry represents a new, school-centered option for families seeking fresh produce and short-term assistance in the Galileo Middle School neighborhood.
Residents seeking assistance or wanting to learn more can email KMcDaniel@jointinitiatives.org for sign-up information and volunteer opportunities.
