For 25 years, my mom was a school cook in an elementary school, where all the children called her by her first name, “Sue.” She loved them, and they loved her in return for her hugs, friendly teasing and good food. Her school kitchen was known for the special treats she whipped up, especially her famous homemade peanut butter bars that are still talked about today. She would see to it that all the students received plenty of food on their plates, with extras and seconds given to the ones who looked hungrier. Years later, when she was drawing close to death in a hospice facility, I wanted to find some way to honor her giving, loving legacy. She had often expressed heartache and worry for the children who would go hungry when they weren’t at school to get extra helpings, so it seemed fitting to take care of them in her absence. As a result, I created “Sue’s Kids,” a charity in her memory that sends bagged food home with needy children. The teachers of the younger students privately share their names with me, and since I’m a teacher of the older students, my colleagues and I come up with our own list. Donors fund the food purchases, and in my classroom each week during nonacademic time, some of my students bag dozens of microwaveable meals, packaged fruit, breakfast bars, pudding and other snacks. The teachers of the younger students put their food bags in their backpacks before they leave for the weekend. I place the bags of food for older students in their… Read More