09/22/2025
MABANK HIGH STUDENT LAUNCHES COMMUNITY REFRIGERATOR
Student Anna Villines saw a janitor pull an orange from the trash and she realized how much food was being wasted at school.
She said, “It struck me that people were hungry in our own school, and here we were throwing away food that could be used.”
She talked to the principal about donating untouched food to a local pantry. That, she learned, wasn’t possible.
“He said it would be a violation of health regulations and could affect federal funding for school lunches,"
She then learned about a school in Africa where they had set up a community refrigerator where students could place uneaten food for others to take.
A refrigerator was purchased by the school and now it is stocked daily by students who place their unopened fruit, milk, and packaged items inside instead of throwing them away.
And by the end of most school days it is empty - people stopping by it to snag something to eat.
“I feel comfort knowing that students in need are able to grab food on the go and nothing gets wasted.”
NOW THAT IS A WIN WIN!!!!
WAY TO GO ANNA!!!
Now if only we could get other schools to do this!!!
photo and quotes from isd
