Templeton Middle School (TMS) eighth graders volunteered their time to serve meals at St. Ben’s Community Meal site four evenings in May. The students are TMS Peer Helpers, a group of student leaders that focus on supporting fellow students to build feelings of connection and confidence at school.
“The most memorable moment in my opinion was seeing the smile on some people’s faces even when you gave them just a single cup of coffee,” explains Templeton Middle School student Maddie Gross. “Just the overall mood and atmosphere of the volunteering experience was amazing!”
Student volunteers were accompanied by TMS staff and parents who also volunteered their time to travel to St. Ben’s Community Meal site on State Street in Milwaukee. These visits took place after the normal school day on May 8, 16, 21 and 28.
Templeton Middle School Counselor Steve Gross explains how this experience reinforces what the Peer Helpers are working to do at school. “Their time, kindness and dedication help show how Templeton Middle School is a place for all students and families to feel connected and be involved.”
Templeton Middle School Eighth Grade Teacher Anna Guerard says she enjoyed seeing the students take on and embrace different roles. “It was really great to see the kids in a different setting than the classroom. It was so neat to see some kids really just shine in this setting and I hope that this can stick with them and impact their thinking and lives for the better in the future.”
“It was very memorable to serve all the different types of people and how they always said thank you every time,” recalls Templeton Middle School Student Esha Praveen. “Everyone was very thankful and grateful for us serving them and getting the food in general.”
Templeton student Sophia Dillow says she will remember how grateful everyone was. “All of the thank yous I got for just pouring coffee! They made it seem like it was a humongous deal, cause to them it was.”
St. Ben’s Community Meal site serves a hot, home-made dinner six nights a week. More than 90,000 meals are served there each year.