Gulfport Central Middle School students help fight food insecurity

GULFPORT, Miss. (WXXV)- Students came together to assist local families who may face food insecurity during summer break.

Gulfport Central Middle School students came together for a canned food drive benefiting local families and the Salvation Army Center of Hope that ended in teacher vs student dodgeball game. History teacher Adam Alexander said, “It’s anywhere from 16 to 25 percent of students that are missing meals in the summer hunger gap. We have those summer months when they’re at home and two meals a day isn’t necessarily enough. So, the resources have to be there for them to take advantage of. So, stocking a food pantry or helping out a local food pantry is just a small thing that we can do and these kids keep showing me everyday what they are capable of doing for the community.”

In total, students brought in over a thousand canned goods with the top donor earning a trophy and prizes from local businesses. Food drive winner Adriean Cole said, “A lot of people don’t have food or money to buy food. So, giving back to the community is important. So, I was going door to door in my neighborhood to collect canned goods in two weeks.”

The Gulfport School District Child Nutrition Department is offering free meals for ages 18 and under, 21 and under if disabled. Adult lunches will be $3.75 starting June 8 through July 17.