Nationally, it’s estimated that 13 million children live in food insecure households. Here in Southwest Virginia, 1 in 5 children are hungry. In Wythe County Public Schools, 50.5% of the K-12 population, more than 2,000 children, qualify for free or reduced price school meals. At Rural Retreat Elementary, where the F/R rate is 51.25%, Mrs. Fiscus and the team used service to create an empowering experience. She said, “Kids don’t have a choice many times regarding their circumstances,” but integrating service learning has broad benefits. Research suggests that when service-learning is done well, it leads to increased academic engagement and success. These students are also more likely to be civically engaged adults and give to philanthropic causes. Finally, across all age groups, serving others has been shown to make people feel healthier, reduce stress, and improve mental health. All 60 student bought in and contributed in a manner commensurate with their means. Whether they gathered loose change from around the house and gave $0.06 or gave $10, Mrs. Fiscus noticed her students seemed “empowered to help others.” Some children sacrificed their ice cream money while others convinced a family member to give. All donations were joyfully celebrated. A jar was placed in the classroom and daily progress was visually charted. Each time a classmate would drop gifts in the jar, the entire class would cheer and express their appreciation. While they had committed each day to run during recess, many students exceeded that expectation. They chose to run extra during their snack break. Not surprisingly, our 3rd Grade Heroes Against Hunger also exceeded their fundraising goal, collecting $225 in donations!  Mrs. Fiscus says her students learned many valuable lessons. One was that people are sometimes just “down on their luck” and need help meeting basic needs. Another epiphany was that “you don’t have to be a grown-up to make a difference.” Now, the students are building on the joy they found in helping locally. They’ve joined an international effort. Through an organization called Child Fund International, they’re learning about the issue of water scarcity while sponsoring a six-year old child from Kenya, Africa. In addition to raising sponsorship funds, the students are engaged in a letter writing exchange. At Open Door Café we feel touched and inspired by Rural Retreat’s third grade students. It’s been said that it takes a village to raise a child. When children get involved helping others, it gives our community a sense of renewal, energy, and joy. As the shepherds, animals, and magi gathered around Mary, Joseph, and the newborn baby, we understand that caring for a healthy child extends into the community. After all, it is the child that grows into the teacher, who leads us toward better versions of ourselves, toward a stronger community, and toward a joyful vision of renewed purpose and meaning. |
