FERGUS – A student-run community pantry is a way UGDSB students are using grant money to give back to the community. Known as the “community food cupboard,” the funding and student initiative allows the kids to build and stock this pantry next to the church on Belsyde Avenue East in Fergus.
Part of the Equity and Inclusion Club, involved students range from Grades 3 to 8. The program has utilized “experiential learning,” a style of learning project lead and Grade 7 teacher Nava Zarrabi-Yan says has much value.
Stocked with non-perishables, hygiene products and even the odd bit of fresh fruit and veggies, the pantry is filled by students with the help of Zarrabi-Yan and the community.
Zarrabi-Yan says the message behind the experiential learning project is clear; let young kids be more aware of the community.
Realizing that learning happens outside the classroom as well isn’t an unfamiliar thing in UGDSB schools. There are 38 total projects on the grant, including a new podcast project and a musical in the works.
For the full UGDSB news release, head here.
