Page 10 Students First In our nation’s suburbs, urban areas, and rural towns over 13 million children from low-income families go to school hungry, according to 2017 research by No Kid Hungry. For over seven years, Southside Middle School has operated a school food bank to support students in need. Staff members became aware of the growing number of students living in homeless shelters, homes without electricity, or lacking enough food at home. Many of these students, without the breakfast and lunch being provided by the school, would go without daily meals. Our food bank supports their needs during school breaks and over the weekend. Southside’s food bank fills the gap that exists in our school community through this option. Weekly food bags sent home with students contain essential food items that do not require cooking. Special bookbags are used to discreetly distribute food to our students in need; students are not openly identified. When a teacher or staff member determines a student in need of assistance, a guidance counselor is notified. Permission is granted from the parents prior to sending items home. Boxes of food are also given or delivered to families that are in need of support. Our school guidance counselors coordinate additional service as needed. Donations come from the staff and community members, as well as outside agencies including the Naomi Project and Help 4 Kids. Exceptional Education students organize items, stocking shelves as well as checking cans for expiration dates. These tasks assist them in acquiring important life skills. If you would like to make a donation, please do not hesitate to contact JoAnn Warr, an exceptional education teacher, at JWarr@fsd1.org or Wanda Smith, the Director of Guidance, at wanda.smith@fsd1.org. Additionally, donations can be delivered to the main office during regular school hours.
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