STEM Students Donate Harvest To CROS Food Pantry

Lower school students were hard at work honing their green thumbs in the Maglio Family STEM Center’s hydroponic garden. Budding gardeners in first and second grade grew an exciting assortment of green vegetables in the hydroponic garden beds. 

Students harvested everything from basil to bok choy and rainbow Swiss chard. The most fulfilling part of the harvest was donating the entire crop of organic food to CROS Ministries Jupiter Pantry for distribution at their El Sol Resource Center. CROS serves the hungry in Palm Beach and Martin Counties through community collaborations.

The ministry said that often, people who visit their pantry do not have the space for a garden of their own or the ability to purchase fresh produce, which makes organic vegetables one of their favorite treats

“In 2016, I lost my job and needed help with food,” one recipient of the ministry’s kindness said. “Thanks to CROS, I was able to get food until I got back on my feet again. Four years later, I am once again struggling because I have been laid off due to COVID-19. I know that this is only temporary, and I once again will not need the pantry. However, I am happy it is here for me again when I need it.”

Lower school Science Coordinator Susan Bickel said she loves when science projects are also able to serve our community and reflect our 12 Benjamin Values.

“This project certainly managed to do both,” she said enthusiastically.