WXYZ — "It's the feeling of gratitude that you get. It's the knowing that you did something. You can't change the world, of course, but you can make it a little better," Makayla Morrell explained confidently.
Morrell is Interact Club President at Robichaud High School in Dearborn Heights.
Filled with the giving spirit, students there are working to make a difference for their peers who face food insecurity. Teens created a discreet backpack pantry to operate during the holidays and every season of the year.
"When you're like my age you feel almost kind of embarrassed—you don't really know how to ask for help. And with the backpack pantry it was just like that silent thing you could do to get a little food and stress a little less..." explained Morrell.
The pantry offers a wide selection of food and beverages to help students stay healthy and hunger-free.
Interact Club teamed up with their mentor, Mrs. Bolden, to make their thoughtful idea a reality. Mrs. Bolden quickly saw the mission come to life for students in need.
"It's the quiet thank yous. Or the 'you don't know what this means for me'..." shared Tanisha Bolden, Social Emotional Learning Coordinator for the Westwood Community School District.
If a student wants to utilize the pantry they just need to get the message to a leader of Interact Club. From there, time will be set aside for the teen to discreetly make their selections.
If a student doesn't have a backpack, Interact Club helps with that, too.
The inspiring effort is done with help from Kroger's Zero Hunger, Zero Waste program. The Rotary Club of Dearborn Heights is also a regular supporter of the backpack pantry.
Leaders of Interact Club say they hope more districts find creative ways to adopt their hunger-free mission. The top goal, of course, is to help students focus more on academics, athletics, and clubs — and less on an issue that no child should have to face.
"The reactions are always heartwarming, and it's a constant reminder that it's the right thing, and it's something that people need," explained Mrs. Bolden.
