TNCA 1st-5th graders spent the morning at Manna Food Bank, helping to pack a weekend's worth of nutritious meals for at-risk elementary school kids across Western North Carolina. This was the first of what will be monthly service learning trips to Manna for these two classes.
Students took a tour of the facility and learned more about hunger in our region. Then, after donning their gloves and cafeteria caps, they got to work!
Students took a tour of the facility and learned more about hunger in our region. Then, after donning their gloves and cafeteria caps, they got to work!
They worked assembly line-style for two solid hours--scooping, measuring, and packing rice and dehydrated soup mix.
By the end, they had prepared 400 pounds of rice for distribution.
Good job,Team TNCA! Thanks to Manna Food Bank for doing such important work, and for letting us help out. Thanks as well to the TNCA parents who drove and participated today.
In the afternoon, doctor and TNCA parent Becca Carchman came to school to discuss her recent trip to Haiti with Mission Manna (no relation) to provide medical care to the country's malnourished children. We learned that in addition to treating acute health problems like intestinal worms, she and fellow doctors gave Haitian families packages of mixed grains (much like the ones our students prepared this morning!) as well as live goats and rabbits for sustained nourishment. Becca also talked about the impact of last year's hurricane, and the importance of clean water--something we tend to take for granted.
Ms. Kelly helped locate Haiti on the globe while Becca gave a bit of historical background.
Awesome laptop slide show presentation above.
And below, the special measuring tape used to diagnosis malnourishment. Everyone wanted to give it a try. For the record: not a malnourished kid in the bunch!
And below, the special measuring tape used to diagnosis malnourishment. Everyone wanted to give it a try. For the record: not a malnourished kid in the bunch!
Becca also brought some samples of Haitian craft items and art...
...as well as some other tools of her trade for kids to test out.
That was fun, but these kids are smart enough to know there's much to learn by watching an expert.
Becca, we loved having you visit. Thanks for inspiring everyone to make a difference in the world.
RSS Feed