Valley View Teacher Spends Her Money to Feed Hungry Students
Pamela Pritchard, a Valley View English teacher, recently received help from Costco for buying snacks for her Bolingbrook High School students.
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For six years, Pamela Pritchard has shelled out her own money to buy granola bars for her students.
"Teaching is tough when students are hungry," said the Bolingbrook High School English teacher.
Her students would ask for a dollar for fries in the cafeteria or $.75 to buy something from the vending machine. Some students don't have food at home to eat, she said. Others have a heavy courseload, no lunch period and no time to grab something to eat.
To give her students a healthy snack, Pritchard starting buying a box of granola bars. She'd replenish the supply, which would usually run out about every three weeks or so.
But lately, she's been running to Costco weekly to replenish her granola bar supply. The word of her snack stash has spread, and hungry students not in her classes will stop by to grab one.
After running into a student at Costco who was amazed Pritchard was "still buying granola bars," Pritchard decided to write a letter to Costco about a possible snack donation.
Soon after, Costco employee Michelle McMurray contacted Pritchard and donated a variety of healthy snacks to Pritchard's classroom.
"Ms. McMurray has become like an advocate for my students and have pledged to help me out with providing a healthy snack for those kids who need something to eat," Pritchard said.
Pritchard recently brought a "thank you" note from her students to McMurray. She is affectionately known as the "Costco lady" to the class.
Costco General Manager Chris Davis said the store's budget is limited, and the store looks for the greatest need in the community to serve. The store was immediately drawn to Pritchard's cause, Davis said.
“We do this where there is need,” said Cyndi DeVoss of the Costco Marketing Department.
Pritchard said she would have continued to buy granola bars if she hadn't heard back from Costco. She's working with McMurray for healthy snack opportunities in the future.
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Beth
1:17 pm on Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Way to go Ms. Pritchard.....you are an amazing teacher and your students love you.....thanks for all you do!
Miguel Hernandez
10:07 pm on Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Mrs. Pritchard, this is just another way of proving how amazing you are. We adore you. Also, thank you "Costco Lady" for your interest in our kids. From personal experience (sponsor of BHS's Club BLT), many big name companies are not willing to make any type of donation. Therefore, you will never know how appreciative we are.
Great job Pam!!!
-us
amy yancy
7:23 am on Thursday, November 29, 2012
Mrs. Pritchard....way to go! You are a wonderful person and our students are so blessed to have you at BHS. Costco...thank you!
G .Galindo
12:37 pm on Thursday, November 29, 2012
I love this stories!!!!! Thank you Mrs.Pritchard !! People like you are deserve the world!!!!
my opinion
11:58 pm on Friday, November 30, 2012
Mrs Pritchard, just like half the Teachers in the district, spends her own money to feed the kids in her classroom. Congratulations on getting a sponsor for the snacks you pass out. If its this bad in high school, what about the little kids whose stomach growls in class because their parent(s) didn't make sure they ate breakfast before heading off to school. Do you think this affects their ability to learn?
anonymous
10:18 pm on Sunday, December 2, 2012
Many teachers help students by supplying food items or other school supplies that are needed. Kudos to those that do. It is a shame that much food is thrown away daily in the school cafeterias. I have seen fresh fruit,vegetables, salads, whole breakfasts and lunches thrown away untouched. Wouldn't it be great if somehow this could be made available to those who truly need it?
dabrooklongtime
5:35 pm on Monday, December 3, 2012
I applaud Costco for being a company willing to help out! What a nice way to thank the community for welcoming your business. It's unfortunate that the many teachers who have done this for years for full class loads haven't received media attention. How about our 25 or more year teachers who have always taught 5 classes and have been buying kids food for years....or our newbie teachers who are making very little that manage to squeeze some out of their budget to pay for kids food, field trips, gas to help kids get to jobs etc....If our kids have this kind of need maybe our communities need to put some pressure on the school board to reconsider our many ad center positions that have been created and see how we can support our teachers who are spending to care for our communities kids.... btw, aren't our teachers still teaching without a contract? Not trying to ruin a feel good story but as a parent whose child had Ms. Pritchard I find it quite nauseating that she is getting any media attention at all in comparison to some of the fine educators BHS has. however, good work costco!