Food insecurity remains a front-and-center issue both locally and nationwide, but one school is addressing it in a unique way: a student-led food pantry at Kernan Elementary School. Operated by fifth- and sixth-grade students with the support of staff advisors, the second-floor pantry goes beyond pantry staples alone. One visit to Kernan will show you this initiative is transcending boxes and cans. It's building leadership, teaching compassion and community responsibility among students.

Karen Balandis, a longtime teaching assistant and parent advocate at Kernan, helps oversee the pantry. While the program has existed for years, it has grown in significance as food insecurity rises. During the holiday season, students delivered more than 50 bags of food to families and distributed turkeys at Thanksgiving. Balandis started the pantry with students who now attend Proctor High School. She has since watched it gain acceptance and shed stigma.

“The students who volunteer are amazing,” Balandis said. “They give up recess or come in before school to help. Sometimes I can’t believe I get paid to do this because the kids are just so good when it comes to helping one another. Here at Kernan, needing help or offering it is just part of the norm.That lack of judgement, replaced by compassion, is just great.” 

Sixth graders mentor fifth-grade students in organizing, collecting and distributing items. They even schedule meetings with the principal to discuss pantry operations and other projects. Sixth-grade teacher Tina Allen beams when she talks about her students involved in the initiative. Allen says students handle nearly every aspect of the program, from meeting donors to preparing food bags.

“They help receive donations, sort items and prepare bags for students and their families,” Allen said. “The community has been generous, with donations from MVCC, Hamilton College and local supporters.”  

Students say the pantry teaches professionalism and respect. Sixth-grade leader Angel Garcia said maintaining privacy is a priority. “If someone needs food, we make the bags for them and keep it private,” Garcia said. “We respect their privacy.”

Participation in the pantry is considered a privilege, motivating students to maintain good behavior and academics. Students also raised money through a holiday store featuring donated items to buy additional pantry supplies. 

“I want to help the school, and it feels good to help others,” sixth grader Joe Torres said. “This is a way I can do something about it.”

Sixth-grade teacher Laura Lemura also oversees these students. She said watching students grow into leadership roles has been especially meaningful. “They've just grown and matured so much from last year,” Lemurea said. “From how they meet donors to hosting breakfasts and even meeting with school board members, they take real pride in representing themselves and the pantry. They're the ones really running it all.”

Students credit school board member Danielle Padula for her continued support. They often call her the “fairy godmother” because she frequently brings pantry items when she visits, inspiring them to become future community leaders, and perhaps even school board members themselves one day.

As his final year at Kernan comes to a close, sixth-grade leader Gabe Turner hopes the program continues.

“I hope this food pantry keeps helping people and that our group’s legacy lives on,” Toner said. 

Fellow student London Davis has even bigger aspirations for what his actions today mean for tomorrow.

“I hope other schools start student-led pantries too,” Davis said. “Maybe we can inspire more people to help their communities.”

Students Pictured: Gabe Turner, London Davis, Kayshawn Gilmore, Noah Gary, Angel Garcia, Jaheim Seward, Joe Torres