We Surprised a Deserving Teacher With $1,000 in Groceries for Teacher Appreciation Week 

Teachers do it all: For their students, they are educators, listening ears, support systems, and mentors. They build lesson plans, but they also wipe noses, keep tabs on kids’ social and emotional wellbeing, and often make sure that each kid has healthy, nutritious food throughout the day. 

This Teacher Appreciation Week, we decided to do something special for one deserving teacher who goes above and beyond for her classroom. Ineabelle is a kindergarten teacher in the Bronx who has been teaching at her current school for nine years. Her school is a Title I school, which means that federal funds help to support the educational needs (such as mental health support, broadband, and attendance programs) of students, as determined by the number of students who qualify for free or reduced lunch. 

Meet Ineabelle, A Kindergarten Teacher in the Bronx Who Provides Healthy Snacks for Her Students

At Ineabelle’s school, 100% of the students are eligible for free lunch, and aiding their access to healthy food is an unexpected but essential part of her job. “Besides teaching the curriculum, one really important part of teaching is social-emotional work,” Ineabelle says. “That’s making sure that children feel comfortable, making sure that they want to come to school, making sure that they’re eating breakfast in the morning, making sure that they have a snack during snack time.” 

Because many of her students come to school without a snack or a lunch, Ineabelle supplies nutritious foods for her students out of her own paycheck. “I make sure I have extra snacks in my classroom so that they feel at home and they’re being fed,” she says. “We know our students; they become our children. As soon as they walk in, I can tell that they didn’t sleep well or that they’re having a rough morning. Once they’re feeling happy and safe, they’re able to learn.” 

In addition to being a teacher, Ineabelle is a mom to her 6-year-old son. She’s also a Thrive Market member, and she uses her membership to order healthy, affordable groceries for her home and classroom — including those snacks she brings for her students. “Having it shipped to my home is easier for me, because bringing all those bags [to school] is a lot.” Once we heard her story, we gifted her a free one-year membership and $1,000 in free groceries courtesy of our Thrive Gives program so she can continue to provide for her students who are the most in need. 

To learn more about Ineabelle and the work she does to provide both education and healthy food to her students, check out the full video below: 

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