The Metropolitan boys basketball team: Pictured with Cindy Hubert, Gleaners' CEO, are Raymond Green, Jerrbryon Grave, Reeese Williams, Johnathan Kelly, Anthony Jackson, Richard Bishop, Coach Nick Rich, wife Becky and sons Camren and Cayden. Team members not pictured are William Kennedy, Romeo Quarterman and Jared Tapley.
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The Metropolitan High School was chosen by Gleaners Food Bank to house a school-based food pantry in the summer of 2009. The pantry is stocked weekly with food, personal hygiene and paper products.
The 410 students of MET are finding much needed support from the staff who are introducing them to a world of higher education and the school pantry is meeting their physical need so they can focus on their education.
Gleaners Food Bank works to see that nutritional food such as fresh fruits, vegetables and meat are available each week. The students may access the pantry as often as needed. The MET has experienced an enormous increase in parent- teacher participation since the opening of the pantry. Family-night functions have grown to unprecedented proportions, due to the fact that the pantry is open and needs are being met, while the family is already on campus. Fun activities and outreach events using the pantry have resulted in a true healthy relationship being built between the school staff, students and parents.
The MET Puma Pantry is staffed by parents who volunteer throughout the week. Special attention is given during holidays to make sure every family has desired items to prepare, such as turkeys and hams. The feedback from the students is overwhelmingly positive, “If it was not for the pantry, I would have had to quit school and get a job to buy the things I need,” stated one student.
The pantry supplied the boys’ basketball team with Gatorade and snacks throughout the year and cheered as the team won the IHSAA Class A Championship March of 2011 at Conseco Fieldhouse. Unranked and unheralded at the start of the season, the Pumas finished the year 22-6. The school does not have a gym so they have no choice but to practice at Indy Parks facilities. As one student stated on a TV interview, the team’s success has “put the school on the map!”
Gleaners Food Bank is proud to be a part of this true “Cinderella” year with the MET Pumas basketball team and with the success of the school pantry. Gleaners Food Bank has since opened two additional school- based pantries, both in elementary schools, and is looking forward to having a positive impact on the lives of these children and their families.