Grisham Middle School recently hosted its annual Grizzlies Giveback Non-Profit Fair, which fosters community engagement and encourages students to contribute to local causes as part of the school’s International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme.
Rosalinda Cornejo, Grisham’s IB- MYP Coordinator, said events like these present students with opportunities to give back to our community.
“We’re forming and creating citizens of the world, so we want to give back and support them in different ways,” Cornejo said.
She said part of the IB program includes completing service hours and giving back to the community. Grisham also asks eighth graders to develop and complete special community projects to solve different community problems.
For eighth grader Calla Lercher, giving back is important.
“It’s really opened my eyes seeing people experiencing hunger and all those things,” said Calla. “It makes me feel like a part of the community when I can give back, help, and show these people love.”
Calla said volunteering is even more fun with friends.
“We volunteer at Brighter Days Food Pantry in Leander. We come in and push carts or hand out food. Sometimes we help load things into people’s vehicles… we’re just there having a good time while helping out,” she said.
This year’s Grizzlies Giveback Non-Profit Fair highlighted 10 non-profit organizations: Austin Allies, Hope Austin, Partnerships for Children, Brighter Days Food Pantry, RRISD Clothes Closet, Keep Austin Beautiful, Beautifully Loved, the Teacher Reuse, and Safe in Austin.
