The Audrain County Association of Public School Retirees (ACAPSR) is participating in the Region 4 Missouri Retired Teachers Association (MRTA) “Food for Thought” campaign  The campaign aims to help alleviate childhood hunger in Missouri by supporting programs run by The Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri.

 The Audrain Unit voted to participate by developing a food pantry at the Mexico Middle School.  The elementary school students are part of the Buddy Pack program and Mexico High School has a food pantry, but the Middle School did not. The Van-Far schools also  partner with The Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri with their supplies coming from the Help Center

The administration and counseling staff at MMS were very enthusiastic and receptive of the pantry proposal. Principal Julie Lower said "Mexico Middle School is extremely thankful to the Mexico Retired Teachers Association for the opportunity to provide our students with an on-site food pantry!  In order to effectively educate our students, their basic needs such as hunger must first be met.  When our kids suffer from food insecurities at home, it presents tremendous stress for them, making it harder for them to concentrate in school.  We look forward to being able to help our students battling hunger at home by allowing them to "shop" for food here at school. Thanks again to the Mexico retired teachers, as well as the Laura Miller Help Center for providing this blessing for our kids!"

Phillip Iman, director of The Laura Miller George Help Center, readily agreed to supply food items from the Center. The bulk of those items come from the Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri in Columbia plus additional donations from local businesses, clubs and individuals. ACAPSR members will also be supplementing the pantry with items suggested by the school counselors. 

Iman commented, “We are thankful to be able to extend our partnership with Mexico Public Schools, The Retired Teachers Association, and our community. All of these and more support the work that we do to serve others, to provide the basic necessities to those who struggle. We are blessed to be the vessel through which these blessings flow but make no doubt, this is a true community effort!”

 The Missouri Retired Teachers Association (MRTA) represents over 31,000 retired educators and support staff. All MRTA units, including ACAPSR, have a long history of supporting children, families and schools through community service and hunger relief efforts. In 2020, The five Region 4 units donated more than $95,000 to hunger relief projects. The association’s motto is “Serve, Not to be Served."

The “Food for Thought” campaign reflects the ongoing commitment of our retired educators and school personnel to helping students and their families.  Feeding America estimates that as many as 15% of children in Missouri are food insecure. Making food security a reality can help provide all students in Audrain County with the opportunity to succeed.