NBMS Raises Funds for Helping Hands Ministry to Fight Hunger
A school-wide campaign to help feed families for the holidays culminated at North Belton Middle School on Monday with students presenting Helping Hands Ministry of Belton with a check for $1,160.
“This check means there will be 58 families who get to celebrate the holidays with meals in their homes this year instead of going without,” said Helping Hands Executive Director Tasha Roberts. “It’s so special for families in our community to be able to have that moment and come around the table.”
The NBMS campaign started in September after a group of student council members heard Roberts speak at a local church about the reality of hunger in our community.
“It was important to spread the message beyond student council to the entire school so that everyone knows what the struggle is,” said eighth-grade student council president Emma Salazar-Canales. “They may not realize that everyday people, they go to school with you, but you never know what they might be struggling with outside of school. So, with bringing it outside of student council, many students’ eyes opened up and realized what was really going on and what they could do to help.”
Student council produced a video incorporating local hunger statistics from Helping Hands, which was shown in all homerooms.
“It involved all the classes working together to raise as much money as possible,” said eighth-grade student council representative Madyson Elliott. “It was part of #BeTheGood.”
The hashtag symbolizes North Belton’s efforts to serve the community and spread kindness.
“We came up with #BeTheGood because there is so much negativity in the world right now,” said eighth-grade student council vice president Corbin Mock. “To have people in your school being the light, it’s really good. Whenever we’re the good, others can follow.”
“We have some kids here who have some really great serving hearts,” said Jessica Franks Coufal, eighth-grade math and algebra 1 teacher and student council sponsor. “I was shocked and in awe of the participation and heart that was put in to raising money for Helping Hands. The student council making a video and showing all the homerooms and seeing it from their peers, and showing that one in five families go hungry, made a huge impact.”
Helping Hands Executive Director Tasha Roberts echoed Coufal’s appreciation for the students taking action to help fight hunger.
“The students have done an amazing job and worked really hard to raise this money,” she said. “Belton ISD has been a great support network for Helping Hands, and it’s very encouraging to see kids care about our community, and making sure families in our community have what they need to celebrate the holidays.”