50,000 households in Beaufort and Jasper counties are not earning a livable wage and their expenses outweigh their income. We chart our progress based on households served each month – we know that regardless of which member of the household we are serving, there are ripple effects for the entire family. With the help of our community partners and donors, we can link arm-in-arm with the entire household. So how can you help?
The research findings are clear: children who experience hunger are prone to various adverse mental and behavioral consequences. Food insecurity is linked to feelings of apathy, lack of motivation, and reduced classroom engagement. However, food security significantly contributes to promoting positive mental well-being in both children and adolescents. This is particularly crucial within the school environment, where ensuring students’ access to nutritious food is vital for their learning and overall growth.
In 2018, following discussions with school social workers in the Bluffton area, Bluffton Self Help initiated the School Snack Program. The program’s purpose is to supply teachers with snacks that can be used as needed. Prior to this initiative, Beaufort County’s school teachers were spending substantial amounts, often exceeding $500 annually, on snacks for their classrooms. While teachers often depended on parents to contribute snacks on a rotating basis, in instances where this need couldn’t be met, teachers were shouldering the financial burden. Our aim was to alter this scenario.
“This is such a wonderful little initiative that was started due to the school social workers noticing an influx of students coming to school without a daily snack from home. Our school days are long, and they seem even longer when little bellies come to school without breakfast and do not get to eat until after 12 noon. The snack program that was started at Bluffton Self Help has been a lifesaver to those students who need that extra piece of nutrition to hold them over until lunchtime. Without this program, the money would be coming directly out of the pockets of the classroom teachers or the “rainy day” fund that some schools have.
Please consider supporting this program so we, the community, can continue to help feed the bellies of students and help put a smile on their faces.” – Okatie Elementary
Bluffton Self Help’s local school partnerships and adult education programs help pave the path for our neighbors all year long. Whether it is helping our youngest neighbors succeed in the classroom or giving adults a second chance, we know education is an important tool.
Join us in making a real change. Your donation, no matter the size, can have a remarkable impact. It’s a chance to foster positive mental health and education outcomes for children, ensure teachers have the tools they need, and provide adults with the means to enhance their skills and knowledge.
Let’s create a brighter future together and Pave The Path Through Education.
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