KoMet Pantry comes to K-M

Over the last few years, Kasson Mantorville High School staff members have noticed an increase of students and families needing things like food, school supplies, and other personal hygiene items.
That’s why after having success of serving about 25 families through the high school food shelf, a group of teachers and staff members will be revamping it and will be opening the KoMet Pantry this fall.
After applying for an innovation grant through the K-M School District, the
committee was given a grant
to help expand on the pantry and to help more needs of its families.
Through the grant money,
the committee was able to buy a refrigerator and freezer, which will allow them to expand on their selections for students,
by offering produce and fresh foods.
As the committee has found out though, the need for its students and families doesn’t just stop with food however. One of the other things that they are hoping to do with the grant money is expanding the amount of shelving they have so they can provide students with things like school concert
clothes, winter clothes and
basic personal hygiene items, as for some families getting those things isn’t a reality.
“This school year when a group of boys came to the food shelf, they discovered a drawer with personal care items.
Their excitement about men’s deodorant, shampoo, soap and toothbrushes was surprising. We realized the needs of our student body was not just limited to food. They had
other basic needs we were not meeting,” the proposal stated. One of the main reasons for the pantry, is so students can get the thing they need to live a healthy life which in return, research has shown will help them greatly in school.
“Ultimately our goal is to provide for the basic needs of our students. Having these needs met allows students to perform better in school. Worrying about being hungry and cold does not lead to productive, well-balanced students.
If we can provide for these basic needs, we are better able to prepare our students to become lifelong learners,” the proposal stated.
Since they started the food shelf, the committee has seen the K-M area community step up tremendously when it comes to helping with collecting money and food donations and hope that it will continue with the expanded KoMet Pantry.
“The high school mission statement reinforces the KoMet Pantry concept. Creating a culture of inclusiveness that truly cares for students will allow all students to engage in the learning process. When students in the building know that their teachers care for their basic needs, they will be more willing to engage in the learning process. With the idea that our community will support the food shelf with donations, we are also showing students that their community cares for them. It also helps students that have enough, share with others that don’t,” the proposal stated.
Some of the ways that organizations and sports at K-M have helped out includes collecting food and money donations at different games and concerts, and also helping out with different food drives. The committee is currently working on collecting food and clothing donations for the upcoming school year and those who are interested can drop off donations to the high school office.
 
 

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