On Fridays at Horizon West Middle School, students facing food insecurity receive a small bag of non-perishable food items in their lockers to take home ahead of the weekend. These bags come from the Spud Mart, a philanthropic project that students and staff at Horizon West manage throughout the entire school year.
“I like to help with the Spud Mart because there are a lot of people in our community who are in need and it’s good to be here to help them,” said Cheyenne Ahmed, a sixth grade student at Horizon West.
In addition to the regular Friday deliveries, the Spud Mart also has basic hygiene items, winter gear, shoes and other food and snack items available on request. Horizon West social worker Danelle Klaman says the project is powered by generosity both inside and outside the school.
We rely on donations for all of our Spud Mart supplies, including donations from our staff, food items from the Great Plains Food Bank and winter items and snacks from local churches and other organizations,” explained Klaman. “We also have students from our leadership group help organize and maintain our pantry, while other students help our support staff pack and deliver bags on Fridays.”
A big push during the 2023-24 school year created some strong momentum for the program, as students and staff came together for a holiday drive ahead of winter break to restock the Spud Mart with hygiene items, socks, toiletries, feminine hygiene products and other basic needs. The event was such a success that Klaman anticipates that it will become a holiday fixture going forward.
“We anticipate doing a similar school-wide program this year, as it is a wonderful way to have the entire Horizon West community engage with a rewarding project that directly impacts our students,” added Klaman.
This year, Spud Mart got a boost from the Moorhead Legacy Education Foundation, which provided Klaman with a grant that allowed her to purchase groceries and other items for the year. These purchases will provide more consistent availability of items throughout the school year.
Spud Mart has been a part of Horizon West since the school opened in 2017. Fifth and sixth grade students can access deliveries by filling out the Spud Mart form in Spuds Landing or through direct referrals from teachers or other school staff.
Schools across the district offer similar services; students interested in these services can talk to their school’s social worker to learn more. Individuals and organizations looking to make donations to these projects are also encouraged to reach out to that school’s social worker.