Tyrone Middle School social worker Jade Jessurun was not alone in seeing a need to go the extra mile for students and their families.
After having conversations with Tyrone’s principal, assistant principal and leadership team, it became clear that there was an opportunity to make a difference for the school’s community.
Particularly, by opening an on-site food pantry.
“As we know, there is a rising cost of living and a lot of inflation, especially with groceries. So, we really just wanted to fill the gap,” Jessurun said. “We wanted to kind of make a one-stop shop for parents so that they could bring their kids to school but also have the opportunity to receive groceries at no cost to them.”
The Eagle’s Fresh Market, which opened Dec. 4, is a collaboration with Feeding Tampa Bay and BayCare. It is open on Thursdays for families and Fridays for students.
Additionally, the pantry is available to staff on Fridays once students and families collect the items that they need.
“We have extensive research that shows that when kids are hungry, they are not able to focus. They lack developmental skills such as social and emotional skills,” she explained. “So, we wanted to make sure that we did our part. They have breakfast and lunch here at school, but now they can also go home and continue having that access to food.”
Donations are provided through partner Feeding Tampa Bay. The school receives a bi-weekly delivery.
Jessurun added that the Eagle’s Fresh Market pantry is part of Feeding Tampa Bay’s Feeding Minds program. A key part of this initiative is providing nutritious and fresh groceries to students and families in need.
The pantry focuses on produce, meat and dairy products and less on shelf-stable items, she explained. However, canned goods are available. Two refrigerators and freezers were installed to ensure the food’s freshness.
The recent government shutdown and its impact on the SNAP or food stamp program has exacerbated the need. “We hope as we go into a future of unpredictability that we can remain a consistent resource for families,” Jessurun said. “No questions asked.”
Earlier this year, Tyrone Middle launched a hygiene closet program to provide essential items to students and families on an as-needed basis. This inspired an expansion, she explained. Initial discussions about opening a food pantry began in September.
It is run by students, Jessurun added. They stock the items, help organize the market and create recipes for families. The school offers a culinary class, where participants learn how to cook. These students are “heavily involved” in the pantry.
Tyrone Middle has already helped some other local schools and leadership hopes to open the Eagle’s Fresh Market to the whole community in the future.