WARREN – For years, the Warren City School District has served thousands of students and their families through the district’s Raider Pantry Program.
What started as one pantry at the Willard PK-8 School, launched by then principal/campus leader Michelle Chiaro, over the years has blossomed into pantries at all of the district’s five schools. This week, the staff at Willard will saw a vision come to life as the school extended the program from campus to community.
The district’s new Mobile Food Pantry rolled into Trumbull Homes on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. Several members of the school staff assisted dozens of individuals stopped by the pantry on wheels and took the opportunity to choose food and other items available to them at no cost. The pantry will be stationed in front of the community center.
“This is a trial run for us,” explained Shaina Shardy, school community liaison at Willard. “We’ll see what works and what we need to work on and spend some time in the community taking suggestions from our families about what they need and what items would benefit them.”
The pantry was stocked with non-perishable food items, fresh produce, and toiletries made available to the school district through various donations. The vehicle has been made available through donations from Community Bus Service, the United Way of Trumbull County and the Cafaro family.
“United Way is proud to help bring healthy food directly to the neighborhoods of students and their families. By funding this mobile pantry, we’re breaking down barriers to access and ensuring every child has the nourishment they need to focus, learn, and thrive, both in and out
of the classroom,” said Christine Cope, President and CEO, United Way of Trumbull County.
Shardy, who sees the needs of the community first hand, has wanted to take the service to the community for a long time. She said the pantry on wheels was developed in response to the growing need for food assistance among local families and has been designed to deliver fresh nutritious food directly to neighborhoods in need.
“Everything is free and open to all families in need,” she said. “We prepare bags and boxes for families, but it’s hard sometimes for the students to carry those home. Sometimes parents will pick them up at the door, but not everyone can get to the school. This way, we can take supplies to our families. It’s something that’s been wanted and I believe needed for a long time.”
