Freshness, sustenance, and big hearts. All are evident at Spring Woods Middle School in Spring Branch ISD as it serves as a hub for free distribution of groceries and home goods, provided by the Houston Food Bank (HFB).
The School Market is open to the entire Spring Branch community, and families who wish to participate must obtain an HFB identification number from a volunteer on the SWMS site the first time they visit. The number can also be used at any other Houston Food Bank distribution center.
According to Dr. Jose Herrera, Instructional Specialist and School Market organizer at Spring Woods Middle School, "Feeling the warmth and joy at events such as our School Market at SWMS, not only provides a much-needed service to our neighbors and friends, but also beautifies our community and the soul, while fostering a profound sense of interconnectedness and shared humanity."
Volunteers are essential to the operation, and SWMS has been fortunate to have Luis Guillen on their team, who has helped recruit members from the National Honor Society (NHS) at Spring Woods High School. More than ten NHS volunteers have committed to serving at the Market throughout the school year, while SWMS counselors have also recruited some eighth-grade students to serve at the School Market, providing them a chance to give back to the Spring Branch community. Guillen noted that the volunteers are learning to be compassionate leaders while modeling to the future generation of students the importance of community service.
"Growing up in this community, I am in continuous awe of the generosity of our phenomenal SBISD staff and community members who give their time and resources to support our community and help our neighbors," added Herrera.
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