Today’s a good day. Because I get to write about how a student’s question about food lead to a viral post and the beginnings of a school pantry! **heart officially full**
In Jacksboro, Tennessee, Jacksboro Elementary School teacher Brooke Goins was recently asked a startling question by one of her little students. She posted about it on Facebook.
“He asked when the lady that puts food in his backpack was coming. It caught me off guard, because it is our guidance counselor and I wasn’t sure what he needed.
I told him I wasn’t sure about this week since it is a short week. He told me he was out of it at home and needed more.”
When the child told Goins that a can of Spaghetti-Os makes his belly feel warm and helps him sleep, she cried. She also knew exactly what to do.
She texted her fellow teachers about her hungry student and everyone pitched in to buy food for the boy.
The post was shared 38,000 times. Goins was floored by the response.
She told Good Morning America,
“Teaching is so much more than just teaching. We see more than a test score, we see the child.
This is a very hard job, it is an emotional roller coaster at times, but we give our all to make sure that every child is successful.”
Her efforts have even led to a school pantry at Jacksboro Elementary where hungry kids can get food to take home!
Other schools already have one or are starting pantry programs of their own. Preventing child hunger is critical for their development and education. These kids know their teachers love them when they can get a snack or a small meal to take home. And, no child can learn when they are hungry or can’t sleep because of their empty stomachs.
Thanks to Goins, her colleagues and to teachers around the world, who work hard to not only provide education but basic needs as well, some of these children are now getting a good start on a better future.
