SOS Make It Happen Students Launch Food Pantry Serving NEISD Families

SAN ANTONIO, 2026 — Students of Service (SOS) is proud to celebrate Ella Larson and Jacob Duke, two participants in the organization’s Make It Happen initiative, for leading a student-driven effort to address food insecurity in their community.

Through SOS’s Make It Happen program — which empowers young people to turn ideas for social impact into real-world action — Ella and Jacob launched the Johnson Cluster Food Pantry, serving students and families across seven NEISD schools that feed into Johnson High School.

Originally conceptualized in December 2024, the pantry now supports a community of more than 2,600 economically disadvantaged students. With support from H-E-B, including a $1,000 grant awarded at SOS’s Student Awards Reception, the student-led initiative has already made a meaningful difference. In a single day, the pantry fulfilled 65 family orders — supporting nearly 300 individuals.

The pantry provides food as well as hygiene essentials and connects families to additional resources such as housing assistance, clothing closets, and other support services. The project continues to grow, with plans to expand pantry space and introduce a “shop-style” model that allows families to select items that best meet their needs.

Their leadership also inspired additional support from SOS Board Member Christopher Flores, further strengthening the initiative’s reach.

Ella and Jacob’s work has been recognized beyond SOS. Both students received the NEISD Superintendent’s Award, honoring their commitment to service and leadership.

SOS’s Make It Happen program — recognized by the White House for its commitment to youth social entrepreneurship — continues to empower students like Ella and Jacob to identify challenges in their communities and create meaningful solutions.