Students at Smoky Hill High School in Aurora are discovering that caring for others means meeting their basic needs. In their social justice class, they are running a food bank called the Buffs Pantry. This initiative helps fellow students who may not have enough food or personal hygiene supplies.
The need is significant. According to the USDA, about 14.4% of youth under 18 in Arapahoe County face food insecurity. This year alone, the students have helped seventy families.
Seniors Jassani Baleros and Desire Gee spent their Thursday gathering food for a classmate they don’t know. “We set up the orders without names. We just send them to the office,” Jassani explained.
Treasure Benton, another senior, shared how this support allows students to feel more comfortable. “It gives them relief throughout the school year, knowing that there’s help available. They don’t have to feel isolated in class,” she said.
The social justice class was created to discuss important issues, but two years ago, the students took charge of the Buffs Pantry. Teacher Sarah Ogide praised their innovative approach. “They’ve transformed how things are done, showing their creativity and resourcefulness,” she noted.
One significant change they made was introducing anonymous requests for food assistance. Students can scan a QR code to access a webpage for signing up without revealing their identity.
Ogide emphasized that this initiative aligns perfectly with their lessons on community involvement. “Being a good citizen means recognizing who needs help and reaching out to them,” she said.
The students learned through this experience that making a change starts at home. “As a social justice class, we advocate for our peers,” Desire expressed.
The food and supplies for the pantry come from donations and food drives. This community effort not only helps those in need but empowers students to make a difference right where they are.
