MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) – Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) hosted a food pantry at Treadwell Middle School on Friday, trying to ensure students have food to eat this summer.
The mobile food pantry started at 9:30 a.m., and according to Interim Superintendent Rodrick Richmond, cars started lining up prior to the start time.
“This is our second one of this week when we are coming out and giving back to our community,” said Richmond. “It’s incredibly important when we know many of our communities are food insecure.”
Richmond said cars were loaded up with healthy foods and non-perishable items. He said the food was on a first-come, first-serve basis at the middle school.
Roger Jones Jr. said having the community come together and help one another like this means a lot.
“I just got my disability. I was out of work and had heart failure. So now, you know, I can’t work and, like, oh man, food,” he said.
Jones added that he wasn’t surprised by the turnout, saying prices are high and families are struggling.
“My wife, she actually does cleaning and janitorial work for [MSCS] over at Morrow, and she says there’s kids coming in always hungry,” said Jones. “It’s sad, but this gives the opportunity for kids to have something to eat, and the parents get some of the slack off them. You know, me, being a grandparent, I know how hard it is even seeing your grandchildren being hungry.”
Richmond said food insecurity is a big issue, especially during the summer months when kids are out of school.
“Going into the new school year, what we want to do as a school system is we want to talk about the whole and how your mental and physical health are interconnected. Again, we do know when students and people have healthy food, it helps them to be healthy through both their mind and body,” said the interim superintendent.
Richmond also said they are going to keep doing these food pantries throughout the summer months, along with immunizations, registration and lunches.
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