Hunger, Homelessness and Poverty

All Potomac students engage in foundational service learning experiences connected to four community needs: hunger, homelessness, and poverty; literacy; the elderly; and the environment. They become empowered by a greater understanding of these needs and lead or participate in activities such as:

• First Grade, Share of McLean
  In the winter, first grade students visit Share of McLean’s food pantry to learn about needs of local families facing food insecurity. As part of Potomac’s annual K-12 Food Drive, first graders inventory items in the food pantry. We connect the service learning project to the counting and organization unit in the first grade math curriculum.
• Sixth Grade, Embry Rucker Community Shelter
  A representative from Embry Rucker Community Shelter in Reston visits sixth graders to discuss the needs of individuals and families experiencing homelessness in Northern Virginia. This presentation helps prepare students for their grade-level architecture project that addresses community needs.
• Eighth Grade, Community Action Program
  Each fall and spring, eighth grade Advisories serve community partners addressing hunger and food insecurity, including Capital Area Food Bank, Red Wiggler Community Farm, DC Central Kitchen, and Martha’s Table. The student’s efforts include working at a community farm, preparing meals for McKenna’s Wagon, and sorting and boxing food donations for distribution to local food pantries.