Toward Zero Waste, Wake County Public School System, NC Cooperative Extension – Wake County Center and Wake County Government have joined forces to combat child hunger with the Stop Hunger and Restore Earth Program (SHARE). With a growing roster of schools, SHARE is asking more members of the community to offer donations to support the program and keep students fed.
Launched by Toward Zero Waste in spring 2025 with initial funding from the Lonnie and Carol Poole Family Foundation, the SHARE program allows kids to donate approved, unwanted and unopened food items, which are then used as snacks during the school day instead of being sent to the landfill. SHARE started with eight pilot schools and, with early momentum, has quickly grown to 27 over the last year. More than 45 additional Wake County schools have expressed interest in joining the program.
“Students are more likely to excel in their classes and extracurricular activities when they don't have to worry about empty stomachs,” said Wake County Commissioner Tara Waters. “SHARE is an excellent program for teaching future generations the importance of being environmentally responsible and generous toward their peers.”
SHARE aims to:
- Reduce the amount of prepackaged, unopened food wasted at schools.
- Establish a food recovery program to distribute the food items to any students in the schools, eliminating stigma.
- Increase student engagement by raising awareness of hunger and respect for the environment.
- Respect resources and guidelines from WCPSS Child Nutrition Services by feeding people instead of landfills.
The following schools are currently participating in SHARE:
- Abbotts Creek Elementary
- Apex Elementary
- Briarcliff Elementary
- Brier Creek Elementary
- Carnage Magnet Middle
- Cary Elementary
- Combs Magnet Elementary
- Davis Drive Elementary
- Dillard Drive Magnet Elementary
- Douglas Magnet Elementary
- Kingswood Magnet Elementary
- Lincoln Heights Magnet Elementary
- Lufkin Road Elementary
- Millbrook Magnet Elementary
- Moore Square Magnet Elementary
- Neuse River Middle
- North Garner Middle
- Partnership Magnet Elementary
- Poe Magnet Elementary
- Reedy Creek Elementary
- River Bend Middle
- Root Elementary
- Underwood Elementary
- Vandora Springs Elementary
- Wake Forest STEM Magnet Elementary
- Wake Forest Middle
- Wiley Magnet Elementary
For more information about the SHARE program, visit the Toward Zero Waste website or watch the video here. If you're interested in donating, please go here. Those interested in scheduling an informational meeting or learning about volunteer opportunities can contact Megan Holler, director of Food Recovery and Compost, at megan@towardzerowaste.org.
Toward Zero Waste is a local nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting waste-conscious living in North Carolina through inspiration, education and action.
