Tales from the Loft - SDG 2, Zero Hunger

Pairs of students are given budgets and must shop for a week's worth of groceries. Some pairs have an abundance of finances while others are unable to meet basic needs.

Between middle school diving into a unit on the Great Depression and Sustainability beginning with global goal, SDG 2 - Zero Hunger, students have been immersed in the topic of need. Through photography, engaging activities, and field trips, students have explored various elements of the Great Depression. In a variety of activities, their sample budgets and food lists have fallen far short of meeting sustenance requirements.

Pictured above are students navigating a week's worth of groceries for a family of four. Their tiers were determined by averages found in datasets on NC, Mecklenburg County, and the City of Davidson.

Low - $110 or 20% of the family budget (NC poverty line)

Middle - $235 or 17% of the family budget (Mecklenburg average household income)

High - $340 or 15% of the family budget (Davidson average household income)

Not surprisingly, those in the lowest tiers struggled to even complete the task while the highest tier often had money left to spare.

On Thursday, middle schoolers then volunteered gardening at Feed NC in Mooresville or weaving mats at the Innovation Barn in Charlotte. Having just completed two budgeting exercises on poverty put their volunteer work into greater perspective.

Sixth and Seventh Graders at Feed NC

Eighth Graders at Innovation Barn