Kinship Partnership Supports Empathy in Action

Since 2015, 3rd grade students at USM have worked closely with Kinship Community Food Center in Milwaukee. What began as a focused effort in one grade grew into a larger collaboration this year, and included contributions from Preschool, additional Lower School grades, and 8th graders, all supporting Kinship’s mission of food justice and community care. 

Starting in spring, 3rd graders learned about food insecurity and why someone might experience it, to gain a deeper understanding of the hardships faced by others. They then performed chores at home to earn money, which they used to purchase nutritious food to donate to Kinship. Finally, they brought the food to Kinship, along with hand-stamped canvas tote bags attached with hand-written notes, for guests to use as grocery bags. Fourth grade students, meanwhile, visited Kinship’s Grow urban farm, where they assisted with cultivating fresh produce in hoop houses. 

“As educators, it’s our responsibility to guide students not only as learners in the classroom, but as compassionate people in the world,” said Mary Liz Rogers, 3rd grade teacher and project organizer. “Projects like this help students understand that being a good neighbor matters, and that kindness, service, and teamwork can create lasting change.”