Listening during Profesinal Devoplement Day, head band director Galen Whisman listens to Dr. Trace, the K-State band director, talk about how over half of his band is somewhat food insecure, and 15% is severely food insecure.

“I was heartbroken that was the reality that we live in,” Whisman said. “I have so much respect for Dr. Trace and what he has built for his band. But if it’s in his band, it’s in our band”.

After realizing that there is a possibility that his students could be the ones who are food insecure he decided to set up a small pantry of snack to help kids get though the day, no matter who they are and why they need it.

“If you look around and you pay attention, you’ll see some kids that probably need a granola bar. And can we really ask our students to play their instrument when they’ve only eaten once the day before,” Whisman said.

Whisman said he wanted to put something that was attainable for all, put a cubby in a small closet between rooms for easy access full of snacks like fruit snack, granola bars and chips for any kids to take.

“I tried to design it so that way we could help folks and actually provide a space that people would go,” Whisman said.

Many students and parent volunteers for the band helped set it up for any student in need from struggling with food to a small snack before the next class.     story by michaela polzer