Located in the Point Breeze neighborhood of South Philadelphia, the Delaplaine McDaniel School is more than just a school; it is a lifeline for its students. This small public elementary school serves children from kindergarten through eighth grade, many of whom face significant food insecurity at home.

Delaplaine McDaniel School

McDaniel operates as an extended-day, extended-year school, opening its doors at 7 a.m. so every child can begin the day with breakfast and remaining open until 5 p.m. to ensure students have access to food well into the afternoon. Even during the summer months, students return not for classes, but for meals. Over Easter break this year, nearly half of the student body came to school every single day because it was their most reliable source of food.

But weekends present a different challenge. When the school doors close on Friday afternoon, that critical safety net disappears. For many students, the question is not what they want to eat; it is whether there will be anything to eat at all.

In response, The Junior League of Philadelphia (JLP) is rallying around the McDaniel community by hosting a food and snack donation drive throughout the month of April. The goal is simple but essential: to provide easy, grab-and-go snacks and meals that children can access independently, with no stove, no preparation, and no barriers.

We are collecting items students can easily grab and go and/or prepare themselves, including:

Grab-and-go snacks: granola bars, popcorn, pretzels, rice cakes, graham crackers, raisins and dried fruit, Goldfish crackers, fig bars, beef or turkey jerky, cheese crackers, tuna with crackers
Fruit and vegetables: fruit cups, veggie straws, freeze-dried fruit, applesauce cups or pouches
Easy meals: instant oatmeal packets, ramen or cup noodles, microwave soup cups, canned pasta (e.g., SpaghettiOs, ravioli), instant grits, mac and cheese cups, microwaveable rice pouches
Breakfast items: individual cereal boxes, Pop-Tarts or toaster pastries, breakfast bars, instant pancake mix, shelf-stable milk

Beverages: juice boxes, milk boxes (chocolate or plain), water bottles, sports drinks

Individual or single-serve packaging is most practical. Low-sugar and nut-free options are especially appreciated.

A key moment in the drive took place at the Junior League of Philadelphia’s Annual Meeting on April 21, where a Done In A Day (DIAD) table was set up during the Placement Fair. Members contributed generously, helping to kick off the collection with a strong show of support.

The drive is still ongoing, and donations are being accepted through April 30. Items can be dropped off at 710 Gawain Road, Plymouth Meeting, PA.

This effort reflects a shared commitment to ensuring that every child has access to food, not just during the school week, but every day. Because every student deserves the security of knowing that when they are hungry, there will be something to eat, even on a Saturday night.