Study of hunger goes along
with McAuliffe food drive
JACKSON — During the cold winter holiday months, there can be hundreds of people donating food to pantries across the state.
But while studying the reality of hunger in America and worldwide, the students at McAuliffe Middle School realize that even in warmer weather the need to "Give from the Heart" is still there.
"This project is more than just an opportunity to help the food pantries," said McAuliffe Middle School Vice Principal Fayga Keats. "It is an opportunity for students to learn about the causes and effects of hunger through cross-curricular activities."
The food drive, "Give from the Heart," supports the Jackson Women of Today food pantry on Don Connor Boulevard. It will run through the end of April.
During the collection of nonperishable food items, each grade level will be working on a theme about hunger, with each grade focusing on a specific topic. Teachers in every subject are incorporating the theme in their classes and asking the students to participate in a variety of activities, according to a press release from the school district.
"This project goes beyond community outreach and teaches real lessons about service learning and domestic and national issues," Keats said.
After April 1 each grade level will be responsible for creating a poster using information learned throughout the event, including informational graphs, reaction papers and research. Student volunteers from each grade level will stay after school with the coordinator to help create the posters, which will be displayed in the cafeteria by April 15.
Staff will maintain records of the lessons learned and food collected so that the school can send its results to a philanthropist in Rhode Island who is offering rewards to schools for their efforts.
According to the press release, Alan Shawn Feinstein is offering $1,000 each to the 50 schools nationwide that collect the most food items. Feinstein is the founder of the Feinstein Center for a Hunger Free America at the University of Rhode Island and the International Famine Center at Tufts University.
"This drive and the activities associated with it bring the entire school together for a great cause," said Keats. "Our coordinators Jill Sheptinsky and Signe Lockwood are to be commended for all of their work to organize and execute this event."
The list of recommended food items for the food pantry are below. Any other nonperishable items are welcome.
According to the press release, these are the items that the food pantry is in need of most: instant potatoes; oatmeal; macaroni and cheese; pasta; rice; stuffing mix; crackers; salad dressing; coffee; tea bags; Cremora; vegetable oil; cans of juice; canned fruits; canned corn; canned peas; canned beans; cranberry sauce; mayonnaise; ketchup; mustard; peanut butter; jelly; soup; stew; tissues; paper towels; napkins; toothpaste; soap; toilet paper; paper plates; dish soap; coffee filters; laundry detergent; shampoo.