Gilbert Public Schools Create 'Something from Nothing' to Feed Students during Extended Winter Break

GILBERT- January 18, 2010 - Mary Kyler, a cafeteria manager for the Gilbert Public Schools (GPS), had seen it all before – students returning from an extended school break hungry. With a longer-than-normal 2009 Winter Break approaching, she was determined not to let her students go hungry again.

Concerned about the extended Winter Break of 12 weekdays (longer than in previous years), and understanding that for students at her campus food insecurity was a reality, Kyler began strategizing early. In July, she approached Patty Narducci, a senior supervisor with GPS Food Services, about the need to take action.

Kyler and Narducci brainstormed, but unfortunately no existing programs could offer an answer.

“Though the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) provides funding to programs operating 15 consecutive days or more,” Narducci explained, “the GPS Winter Break this year fell just short of that requirement.  We explored other funding opportunities with specialists at the Arizona Department of Education’s Child Nutrition Program, but to no avail. 

“Innovation became a necessity!”

Narducci said while fewer students from GPS receive free or reduced lunches than state average, several schools surpass the 50-percent free and reduced-price meals threshold. One of the school’s, Gilbert Elementary School was selected as the site for the new program.

Kyler and Narducci decided that securing the location, soliciting food donations and providing staff would allow for the creation of the necessary program.  With the approval of GPS Food and Nutrition Director Debbie McCarron and Gilbert Elementary School Principal Sheila Rogers, the enthusiasm of Title 1 Parent Liaison Chairperson Donna Whelan, Assistant Kelly Duff and the aid of many vendors, the Winter Food Program began to take shape.

An email blast was sent to current vendors explaining the GPS “Winter Food Program” and soliciting their assistance. Within several days, offers of produce, milk, entrees and shelf-stable snacks were arriving. 

Knowing that funds were unavailable to compensate employees serving the Winter meals, an email was sent to each GPS Cafeteria Manager requesting their assistance in donating three hours of their Winter Break to serve those in need.  The immediate response was overwhelming, Cafeteria managers volunteered for three- hour shifts.  Multiple managers, as well as some National Honor Society students, were scheduled for each shift.  Additionally, Whelan organized parents and volunteers to assist in set-up and cleaning each day.

With the assistance of interns, meal menus were created using the vendors’ food donations.  Fliers were printed and sent home with students attending Gilbert Elementary School. GPS Print Shop developed Winter Food posters for display. On December 18, the last day of school, all food donations were delivered to Gilbert Elementary, site of the “Winter Food Program.” 

Meals were provided each weekday during the 12-day Winter Break, except for Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Each day 50-100 people participated in the meal program. Adults and children enjoyed a hot entrée, fresh fruit, and milk or juice.  In addition, a small bag containing shelf-stable snacks was given to children and adults as they left the lunchroom each day.

On December 24, Santa arrived and gave several gifts to the children who came to lunch that day. Many of these gifts were kindly donated by the Gilbert Fire Department. A number of vendors also graciously supported the Winter Food Program, including: Rainbow Produce; Gilbert Education Foundation (Meg Gillett); Gilbert Fire Department; Gilbert Public Schools staff, cafeteria managers and their family members; SunCup Juice and Gregory Packaging; Nasser Foods; Creative Food Services; Pointes West; Shamrock Farms; and PepsiCo.

Even though official funding was not available, a total of 821 meals and snack bags were provided through the Winter Food Program at Gilbert Public Schools.