Great faculty, staff, textbooks, and classroom dynamics are vital in ensuring children receive an exceptional education. It is inspiring to see these elements work together in schools. Sometimes, however, even with all of these elements in place, there is an unseen challenge that prevents students from learning; food insecurity.
Administrators like Principal Cindy Gentry and Assistant Principal Bridget McGee at Greenfield Elementary School recognize this challenge and face it head-on. We recently spoke with them about their partnership with Feeding Northeast Florida and the value of the SnackPack program in their school. Their love for their students and genuine concern for their well-being shone in every word and their insights shed light on how crucial access to nutritious food is for student success.
The Birth of the Snack Pack Program
Greenfield Elementary School’s Food Distribution Program is a vital initiative started by Ms.McGee a few years ago after seeing how valuable it was at a previous school.
“It was so important to students at my last school where we started the program in partnership with Feeding Northeast Florida,” she shared. “When I came here, I discussed it with Ms. Gentry, and she was immediately on board to get it started.”
The program is set up to provide SnackPacks to students as they leave school on Fridays, ensuring they have something to eat over the weekend. The team strategically places SnackPacks at dismissal areas to make it easy for students to grab one on their way home.
Ensuring Every Student Gets a Snack
Inclusivity is a big deal for Ms. McGee and Ms. Gentry. While some programs target specific students, Greenfield ensures that every student has access to the Snack Packs.
“We are careful not to advertise it as just being for low socioeconomic students. We make sure each student knows it is something for everyone,” Bridget emphasized. This approach prevents any student from feeling singled out and promotes a sense of community.
Meeting Basic Needs for Better Learning
Principal Gentry summarized the profound connection between food and education, stating, “It’s a basic need. You can’t do anything without those basic needs being met. Food and a sense of belonging are crucial.”
Both administrators agree that when students have access to nutritious food, they’re better prepared to focus, participate, and excel. In this way, the SnackPacks at Greenfield Elementary are more than a quick bite; they’re an important component in creating an environment where students can thrive.
Overcoming Challenges with Creativity
Greenfield Elementary is an older school, which does create a few challenges that the faculty and staff must overcome. Storage space, distribution logistics, and ensuring there’s always enough food are constant concerns.
“We don’t have a lot of space here, but we will always find room to help out,” Ms. McGee noted. Despite these hurdles, the benefits for the students inspire everyone to pitch in and make the program possible.
The Impact of the SnackPack Program
The positive impact of our partnership at Greenfield is clear. Students eagerly anticipate Fridays, knowing they’ll receive their snack packs, and they’re excited to find out what’s inside.
“There’s a core group of students who really look forward to Friday. Many of them ask for more than one, usually because they have a sibling or someone at home they want to share with,” Ms. Gentry observed.
The SnackPacks are also great because they are shelf-stable. If there are any extras, they are sent to the clinic to assist students the following week.
“We have a couple of diabetic students, and then some students who come to school who might have missed breakfast,” Ms. Gentry shared, “the SnackPacks help our nurse get students back to class and back to learning. It’s nice to know our students can feel cared for and secure.”
Stories of Gratitude and Appreciation
The faculty and staff at Greenfield Elementary are always on the lookout for families who may need additional assistance and pay special attention to them. Ms.McGee shared one story of a father who was always working hard to support his family but would occasionally find they were a little bit short.
“We’d tell him,” Ms. McGee recounted, “when you pull up for pick up today, we’ll have an extra box of SnackPacks for you, which he really appreciated.” They also ensured he was aware of other programs available to lessen the food insecurity his family was facing.
In another case, a mom was in transitional housing and didn’t have a kitchen to prepare food. The available items in the SnackPack were ideal for this situation, so Ms. McGee called her up and offered everything they had left over on a Friday. She was grateful for the support and sense of community she and her children felt at the school.
The Essential Link Between Food and Education
The connection between schools and communities is as undeniable as the link between food and education. Programs like SnackPacks at Greenfield Elementary ensure that students’ basic needs are met, paving the way for a better educational experience.
Principal Gentry, who interacts with her students daily, summed it up perfectly: “When kids don’t have the nutrition that they need, nothing matters until that’s taken care of. If they are hungry, it’s almost impossible for them to learn.”
Getting Involved
Hearing these stories of impact from members of our community who are on the front lines in the battle against food insecurity for every child and their families underscores the importance of our work at Feeding Northeast Florida.
Programs like SnackPacks at Greenfield Elementary are made possible by the generosity of our friends and neighbors who support initiatives that nourish both the body and the mind, creating a brighter, healthier, and more inclusive learning environment for all students. Please click here to learn how you can support this and other vital programs in our community.
