“Whatever It Takes So Kids Can Be Kids”

Maria Cioffi has run a Title I Bronx school long enough to know it does more than educate. It feeds kids. At Matilda Avenue School, more than 90% of students live below the poverty line — and hunger shows up before first period. When a child is in crisis, her staff’s first question isn’t about grades. It’s: have you eaten?

“Whatever we can do to lift that burden so kids can just be kids — that’s what matters.” Then June comes. The doors close. The meals go with them.

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Transcript:

Maria Cioffi, Principal: There’s just a real sense of community for everyone. You’re very clear. And so with that, everybody pitches in to make sure that our community is safe and well taken care of.

Jessica Dean, Teacher: Want to eat one.

Maria: Hunger is an issue among the students.
They’ll tell you when they’re hungry. They’re very honest.

Whatever we can do to take that burden off of our children and give them an opportunity to just be kids, to learn, to have fun.

We are a Title I school, meaning that 90% or more of our students are below the poverty line. Our students get free breakfast and lunch each day, and the majority of our students do take advantage of that program. It’s really important that they are well fed when they’re here in school because some of them don’t have dinner.

Jessica: Alright, everyone put your hands on your head. Activate that brainpower so I know we’re ready.

Maria: We see kids lose focus so easily if they’re hungry. They’ll have tantrums or meltdowns if they’re hungry. We see a lot more behavioral issues when kids are hungry. One of the first things we do when we have a child who’s in crisis is ensure that they — you know — do you need something to eat?

Jessica: Yeah. I wanna make a bread.

Maria: Our parents are doing the best that they can. Like we said before, our community is diverse, and so we have working families.

Jessica: Do we all have it?

Maria: Parents do have to make difficult choices every day, and some of them do have to decide between whether they’re going to feed their kids or keep a roof over their heads. However, they know that when they come to school, they’re gonna get that meal.