Sheridan High School (SHS) students wanted to do their part to fight food insecurity, so they rolled up their sleeves, put on their hairnets, and dug in to make a difference last week, participating in a Million Meal Movement (MMM) packing event.
Kaila Dickinson of MMM explained how packing meals that are then distributed to local food pantries, helps fight local food insecurity, but she went on to say that it does more than that.
Photo provided by Sheridan Community Schools
“Not only do we work to eliminate the food insecurity issue here in Indiana, but we also engage all ages and groups of people to come together to help their neighbors,” Dickinson explained. “It leaves a lasting impact and makes a huge difference in our local community.”
Students at SHS echoed that sentiment. After spending an hour creating macaroni and cheese meal kits, 10th-grader Kenzie Garner shared, “I think it was a lot of fun. I learned that you can do a lot more to help the community.”
According to the MMM website, “In Indiana alone, 1 million people – including 1 in 5 children – don’t know where they’ll get their next meal.” MMM works with volunteers to “pack meals” that are then donated to local food pantries. Sheridan teachers Abby Williams and Kayla Gerlach organized the effort at SHS this year – the third year that SHS has participated.
“This year we expanded the event to invite any high school student to participate, whereas in past years it was opened up to service clubs,” Williams said. “By opening it up to all students we had quite a few more kids sign up to participate year, making it feel more inclusive and enthusiastic.”
Gerlach, who had been involved in a packing event in her previous job, said was excited to be part of it at SHS. She explained that every packing event includes a safety and sanitation debrief as well as talking about the importance and impact we can make in our local community, followed by students working in groups of 10 to 12 to pack meals in an assembly line format.
Photo provided by Sheridan Community Schools
“This particular event involved packing macaroni and cheese meals to go to our local food pantry, Mama’s Cupboard, with 35 to 45 students working each hour, for three hours, packing a total of 10,000 meals,” Gerlach said.
Dickenson, who was at SHS on the day of the event, noticed, “All the student embraced helping one another and were more than willing to help. This wasn’t something they HAD to do, but really wanted to, and we saw that with each and every one who participated.” She went on to explain that this event was made possible through a grant from the Hamilton County Community Foundation.
Students and sponsors all agreed that the event was uplifting.
“Other than helping the local food pantry with increased donations of food, there are many research studies done showing the impact of service learning by connecting service with what students are doing in the classroom,” Williams said. “Giving students a meaningful purpose and opportunity to have a positive impact on their community is an amazing opportunity!”
Dickinson added, “I think having the students participate in something that is giving back – and to their own community – will stick with them and instill volunteerism for the rest of their lives.”
Learn more about the Million Meal Movement at millionmealmovement.org.
Photo provided by Sheridan Community Schools