For some students, going home for fall break means going hungry. Now a Donelson Middle School teacher is using her classroom as a food bank.
"I found out at the beginning of the school year that we had a population of students who on the weekends and breaks didn't have the food that they needed," said 8th grade English teacher Tina Noel.
She said hunger is a difficult topic to bring up.
"That's not something a child wants to tell an adult because you know it's embarrassing," she said.
Going hungry is a reality for some students who eat at school five days a week.
"We supply free breakfast and lunch in Davidson County but when they leave on the weekends a lot of these kids don't have food," she said.
A few months ago Noel said she realized someone needed to bridge the gap.
"I found out specifically about one student and it broke my heart," she said.
So she cleared away books on her shelf and made way for non-perishable food items.
"I posted on social media for my friends who were willing to donate non-perishable food, gift cards and had a huge outpouring," she said.
Now kids can stop by her classroom and Noel will fill their backpacks with homework and food for thought.
If you would like to help fill the pantry click here.
