Hub for Hope: Viers Mill Elementary School Food Distribution
For a year and a half, So What Else has been a steady presence at Viers Mill Elementary School, showing up twice a month with fresh produce and healthy staples that families specifically ask for most. What began as “food drop-offs” has grown into something deeper: a rhythm of reliability, dignity, and community in the form of a food market. Now, So What Else is serving more than 100 families each week at the school.
Viers Mill serves a vibrant, resilient community. Roughly 70% of families identify as Latino/Hispanic, and more than 75% of students qualify for Free and Reduced-Price Meals. Many parents juggle two or three jobs, often without benefits, stable housing, or reliable transportation; some are currently experiencing homelessness. Against that backdrop, consistent access to nutritious food isn’t just helpful—it’s essential.
That’s why each So What Else market on campus is designed to feel like more than a distribution event. Families are welcomed without judgment or red tape; they don’t have to prove they need help. The school building becomes a place of kindness and respect, where neighbors gather, children smile, and the stress of the week softens for a while. Trust is built bag by bag, visit by visit.
“The food markets made possible by So What Else are more than distribution events, they are community gatherings that create trust,” said Karina Santos, Community School Liaison at Viers Mill. “Our families feel safe and welcomed coming into the school building during these times. For many, it’s one of the few places where they don’t feel like they have to prove they need help. They are simply met with kindness and respect.”
As this partnership continues, So What Else and Viers Mill will keep asking the most important question: What else can we do to help? Together, we’re proving that the answer often starts with a welcoming doorway, a table of fresh produce, and neighbors caring for neighbors.
Learn more about So What Else’s food distribution efforts here.
