The next time you visit the Roger Williams Park Zoo, be sure to drop a donation of nonperishable food in the new Community Food Pantry installed at the entrance!
As part of the Environmental Justice Academy cofacilitated by Roger Williams Park Zoo & Carousel Village staff and Sophia Academy, and made possible with support from United Way of Rhode Island, last year's seventh grade designed the Food Pantry to combat food insecurity. The finished product was unveiled on November 3.
“…Our class was discussing social and environmental justice. We decided to make a food pantry for everyone. We wanted people to not starve from hunger and make them feel safe in this community,” said eighth grader Peniel Saidon at the ribbon cutting ceremony.
The students created initial designs in four small groups. “Each group made a decision of what the pantry would look like. We had to measure the length, the width and height. Then we all got together and put the design as one, using half of each design and measurement,” explained eighth grader Evelyn Tillman.
This year’s seventh grade will participate in the Environmental Justice Academy as well, and produce their own project on an issue of their choosing.
Pictured left: Science teacher Alyssa Wood, Dean of Students April Samuels, 8th graders Peniel Saidon and Evelyn Tillman, and Meg Archer from the RWP Zoo cut the ceremonial ribbon on the new food pantry (pictured right) installed at Roger Williams Park Zoo.