A grocery store run by high school students in Texas is supporting its community by providing free food to people in need, including fellow students and staff.
The grocery store at Linda Tutt High School in Sanger, Texas, first opened in November. The project is run in partnership with local nonprofits like First Refuge Ministries, Albertsons grocery store, and Texas Health Resources to help students whose families struggled financially because of the pandemic.
When it first opened in November, the grocery store was only for students and staff in the school district. Now, the grocery store is open to the entire community once every week.
The store “sells” produce, milk, eggs, pasta, peanut butter, canned goods, dishwasher soap and laundry detergent.
Community members who want to shop at the grocery store are assigned several points for good deeds and community service. The more points they receive, the more merchandise they can “buy.”
To follow social distancing protocols, shoppers are no longer allowed to shop in person. Instead, they have to fill out a list, and a student will bring their groceries to their cars.
School principal Anthony Love says about 130 families benefit from the high school’s grocery store.
Besides supporting students and community members affected by food insecurity, Love said the grocery store is also a way to give students job skills and teach them the value of giving back to their community.
“I’ve really seen the students take pride in working in the store,” Love said.
“They’re excited about coming to school. They’re excited about helping in the grocery store and just being a part of it.”