HERMON, Maine — Inside room 210 at Hermon High School, desks aren't filled with books, but boxes. It's not just a normal classroom—it's also a food pantry.
An estimated 40,000 children in Maine are at risk of food insecurity, and Hermon special education students are working to help lower that number.
Students fill boxes with food from Good Shepard Food Bank and distribute them to families at each of the three schools in Hermon.
"What started off as a couple of bags a week has turned into 30-plus boxes a week, to help keep them going, and one less thing they have to worry about," said Andy Sumner, a special education teacher at the school.
Students work together to pack boxes and keep them organized. "I guess you could say it's like Tetris," student Jamin Johnson said.
Many of the upperclassmen also volunteer at Good Shepard Food Bank, and the school's pantry is a way to get even more students involved.
Students say they also have fun doing it. "It feels great to help fill boxes," student Zayne Scott said.
The food pantry is a part of Sumner's life skills class, where students with disabilities prepare for life after high school.
"Part of our school's mission is getting kids ready for that community, and what better way to do that than by supporting your own community," Sumner said.
Through the food pantry, students are learning how to follow directions, communicate, and more. "Definitely organization skills, that's very important here," Johnson said.
Students have the opportunity to do hands-on work and gain valuable experience for the future. "It gets me ready for the real world," Johnson said.
One valuable lesson the students are learning is the importance of helping those in need. "I'm just glad we're helping everybody else," student Vanessa Pellet said. Student Ethan Ladd agrees: "I like helping people."
In Mr. Sumner's class, every student gets the chance to make a difference.
"I love helping people. No matter the cause, no matter what, I go out and help," student Daniel Belakiewicz said.
Sumner said that at the pantry they're always working to meet people's needs, and if a family needs anything, all they have to do is ask.
"I just hope it continues to grow, because that's what everybody needs," he said.
