06/19/2024
REPOST:
This is not about the Pontotoc County Backpack Ministry, but it is such a similar story of why we started Fishes and Loaves.
"Today I cried at work. Not because I hate my job, or that it is just too hard (it really is). Today I cried for a child, a child who so innocently talked about food, and the lack of it.
He asked when the lady who puts food in his backpack was coming. It caught me off guard, because it is our guidance counselor and I wasn’t sure what he needed. I told him I wasn’t sure about this week since it is a short week. He told me he was out of it at home and needed more. Of course I asked what was in the bag that he liked so much. I asked if it was the macaroni bowls or the crackers, he said no. I asked if it was the spaghetti o’s, he laughed and told me no that they didn’t have those. Then it happened... he looked at me and said, 'those little o’s (as he made a small circle with his hand), we don’t have those at my house, but when I do have them they give me a warm belly and help me sleep.' I lost it, I cried in front of 20 little people. No kid should ever be hungry, ever.
Well here is where it gets even better, I immediately sent a text to my group, these are the people who are teachers. Remember, hearing people say that we spend all of our money in our classrooms? We spend it to make sure our kids have what they need to succeed, and today we bought food. Yep, we put our money together and made sure this sweet baby had some spaghetti o’s!
I did not write this for anyone to get praise, nobody did it for the praise. I want people to know teachers are humans, we love your kids and want the very best for them. Some days we get frustrated and feel overwhelmed, but today we did what was best for a child. Will it show on a test score? Nope! Do we care? Nope!
Today I’m thankful for all of my people at school, big and little. It takes a village, it really does. It’s a crazy rollercoaster of emotions being a teacher, but today it was worth every tear that fell to see him light up when that bag was put into his backpack! Teachers, keep your heads up YOU ARE making a difference! We are all exhausted, but we push forward each and every day."
This is an actual picture of a weekend bag that each student gets through Fishes and Loaves. If you feel led to help, we accept monetary donations at: Pontotoc County Baptist Association, 254 Hwy 15 N, Pontotoc, MS.
