Using the Design for Change process, "Feel, Imagine, Do, and Share," sixth grade students asked themselves, "How can I help the hungry in my community?"

Curriculum Enrichment Specialist Tara Schletz and Middle School teacher Carolyn Horttor kicked off the project by exploring the "Grocery Gap" and taught students about the barriers and consequences that many people face in accessing healthy food. To build empathy, students listened to podcasts featuring community members who are facing this problem, completed a root cause analysis to dig deeper into the problem, researched the causes of hunger and what it looks like in their own communities, and brainstormed steps they could take to make a difference and raise awareness.

Students completed action steps to make their solution a reality and then tied their solution to a Catholic Social Teaching.

Some examples of action steps included:

• Students created awareness of the hunger issue and shared their action plans with their classmates.
• Students showed leadership by teaching third, fourth and fifth graders about food deserts and ways to raise awareness through online games and presentations.
• Students met with school leaders to share their ideas and asked for suggestions on next steps—for example, building a community garden on campus.
• Students wrote letters to city officials asking them for guidance and help.

Working to address the challenges facing the greater community is an integral piece of a Visitation education. We are proud of the dedication our sixth grade students brought to this important project.