Jennings Middle School students support school food pantry through JagBytes program

A Jennings Middle School staff member said the JagBytes program engages students in the school's access program to provide hands-on support for the campus food pantry, where they pull items, stock shelves and learn why the pantry exists.

The staff member said the program was created to be “inclusive and designed specifically for them so that they can basically show their shine and successes” and to connect students who have intellectual or other disabilities with ongoing campus activities.

“JagBytes program is where we have students that are part of the access program here at Jennings Middle School that come and provide support in our food pantry here at Jennings,” the staff member said. “They were here pulling items, putting it on the shelves, but not necessarily knowing the why behind it. So we wanted to make sure they understood why.”

The staff member said students have participated “probably most of, the year from when school started” and that after completing pantry tasks they receive snacks as a reward. The pantry serves families who visit the school and outside families; when families lack transportation staff said pantry volunteers or school staff pack boxes and deliver them.

“They come in, they do exactly what I have to do, and when they're done, they're rewarded. They get some snacks and they're excited,” the staff member said. “We wanna make sure that our families are eating.”

There were no formal motions or decisions recorded in the meeting transcript about JagBytes; the remarks described the program's operation and community role.