MARQUETTE, Mich. (WLUC) - Students at Father Marquette Catholic School are learning about helping their local food pantry through hands-on work. For the past two years, first grade teachers, Julie Hocking and Sue Sharrett have developed a project based learning partnership with Econo Foods in Marquette and St. Vincent De Paul.
In the beginning of the school year, students visit St. Vincent De Paul to learn about the pantry and what food items are needed. Then students and parents bag groceries at Econo Foods and raise funds through receipt donations and tips. In this hands-on project, students are then tasked to purchase food items for the St. Vincent De Paul food pantry using the monies they raised.
“This is a great opportunity to begin teaching our students about helping those in need in our community,” said Michael Hedges, Principal at Father Marquette Catholic School. “Our students and parents have really gotten behind the project and it’s a great experience for our kids. In the words of one of our students, who participated in the project last year, 'Most people think kids can’t really make a difference, but we did!' That’s the lesson we’re teaching and it’s a great project.”
Last year’s project raised $600.00 to be donated to the St. Vincent De Paul food pantry.
