Hungry Tigers:  Closing the Achievement Gap in Carthage, Missouri

The Hungry Tiger Begins!

Hungry Tiger project is off and running!  Students have selected recipes, put together meal plans based on the My Plate Dietary Guidelines, and prepared foods for the weekend backpacks sent home with students.  Math skills have been emphasized in recipe alterations and determining packaging for meals.  Reading and analyzing non-fiction has been a big focus as recipes have been selected and then prepared. 

Two MSSU student interns have worked closely with junior high students in organizing our food pantry and preparing and packaging meals.  MSSU students have been an integral part of setting up new technology for classroom use.  As role models, these students have been a great asset to the program.

Community volunteers have donated supplies and given their time to the program.  Community organizations and church groups have sought program information and offered continued support as we progress.

A parent of a student who receives the weekend backpack of food sent a note of thanks, saying how much it means to her that we are helping to feed her children.  Another mother was in tears as she accepted food for her family and kitchen supplies.  They had been in dire need after being set out on the street by an angry spouse. 

We look forward to seeing even more of an impact on our students as our program progresses and grows!

January Update!

Back Pack Program:
Hungry Tiger currently sends food, filled backpacks home each Friday with thirteen junior high students.
Over the past 12 weeks we have provided weekend food to 21 different junior high students.  We’ve had some students move out of the district, and a couple students who dropped out of the program.
A sample back pack includes:

• Ham & Cheese Corn Muffins
• Orange
• Apple Juice Cereal
• Banana
• Grape Juice
• Italian Pasta w/ Meatballs
• Garlic Bread
• Can of fruit
• Pudding cup
• Chili
• Apples
• Cheese
• Crackers
• Popcorn, String cheese, Juice
• Granola bars, Trail mix

The main dishes are prepared by junior high students, packaged and frozen.  This allows perishable items to be kept cold in the pack as it is taken home.
                    

Community volunteers and MSSU students pack the back packs each Friday afternoon.  Students pick up the packs either in the counselor’s office or FACS room. 
                          
Student Involvement:
At present, a core group of eight students meets each Tuesday after school to prepare and package meals.  This group selected recipes and put together menus several weeks ago.   This group also participated in organizing the pantry.  
Ms. Eck’s Web Design class had a competition to create a website for Hungry Tiger.  Two student’s sites were selected and we hope to have one up and visible soon.  A Facebook page is in the works as well.
Contributions: 
MSSU delivered almost 1,000 canned goods for our pantry, the YMCA donated some food, Schreiber’s donates cheese, Metro Builder’s Supply sold us a freezer and refrigerator for $100 each, storage cabinets were donated by a teacher, Joplin R-8 donated 90 back packs, various community people have donated time and some food, and MSSU Service Learning students volunteered time as we set things up. 
                                

Technology: 
A mobile laptop cart with 24 laptops was purchased and is being used in the FACS classes.  It is allowing students to create projects using various forms of media.  Students are using the internet to search for recipes and watch “how-to” videos to help learn food preparation skills. 

Flip video cameras and digital cameras have also been purchased and will be utilized by students to create various projects in class. 
     
The Future:
As this program develops, the intention is to have FACS classroom students more involved in the planning process and food preparation.  Emphasis will be placed on math skills while altering recipes and compiling grocery lists.  Following directions and reading are skills that will continue to be practiced repeatedly, as recipes are prepared and projects are created.  Communication and collaboration skills will continually be enhanced through cooperative team work.  Nutritional needs and the benefits of a healthy diet will be reinforced as menus are planned. 

A cookbook is being put together and will be sold as a fundraiser to help sustain the program.  Many community and church organizations have also expressed interest in assisting with the program as it develops and continues. 

This State Farm Grant and MSSU have provided the junior high with an amazing opportunity to increase student engagement, teach service-learning and provide for the basic, human needs of our students.  The sky is the limit!

FEBRUARY: Check out our Website!

Our website was designed by 2 Carthage Junior High students as a part of their Web Design class.  The class held a competition to design a site for Hungry Tiger, and the favorite site was chosen. 

http://hungrytiger3.weebly.com/