MANSFIELD SUMMIT HIGH SCHOOL ’ S JAGUAR DEN IS TRANSFORMING LIVES
MANSFIELD SUMMIT HIGH SCHOOL ’ S JAGUAR DEN IS TRANSFORMING LIVES
Mansfield Summit High School has paved the way for student success since it opened in 2002 . Recently , students have been enhancing their college , career , and life readiness by volunteering at the newly opened Jaguar Den .
The Jaguar Den story began in 2020 , shortly after returning from pandemic lockdowns . Deborah Bell , a design and lifetime nutrition teacher , saw firsthand how food insecurity affected many students and felt compelled to help . Initially , she visited budgetfriendly grocery stores to buy food and placed it on her classroom counter for students to take if they were hungry . This simple gesture soon became part of her routine as more students sought food support . Bell often heard , “ Ms . Bell , I heard you had food ,” or she welcomed students whose parents hadn ’ t yet added money to their lunch accounts .
Bell ’ s actions continued until fall 2023 when she mentioned to Assistant Principal Kelli Barney that the campus needed an official food pantry . Barney wholeheartedly agreed , and soon after , Constable Sandra Lee of Precinct 7 reached out with a $ 900 donation to help provide food for students .
When asked to lead the pantry , Bell eagerly accepted , becoming the official Summit Jaguar Den food pantry coordinator .
The initiative came together through the combined efforts of the campus and community to address food insecurity for students and their families . Before meeting with Constable Lee , Bell researched campus food pantries to clarify the pantry ’ s goals . When they met , Bell thanked Lee for her support and discussed the need for a sustainable food source . Lee then connected Bell with the executive director of the Tarrant Area Food Bank , who introduced her to the Ready to Learn Food Program — a partnership that has since been vital to the pantry ’ s success . With Principal Jason Mutterer ’ s approval , Bell completed the necessary paperwork and training and ensured the pantry space met ADA standards .
With additional support from the PTSA and community members , they assembled shelving units and prepared for the Jaguar Den ’ s
grand opening on Sept . 12 . Further assistance came from Associate Superintendent Jeff Brogden and Executive Director of Student Nutrition Rita Denton , who facilitated a health inspection . The pantry also received support from H-E-B as its capital partner .
The Jaguar Den operates daily , serving Summit families from 10:30 a . m . to 1:30 p . m ., Monday through Friday . Early-release students may also access groceries during this time , and the pantry opens on B Days from 2:50 to 3:15 p . m . for additional student visits . The pantry receives two monthly shipments , with student volunteers unloading and stocking each delivery alongside PTSA and Lions Club members .
Studies consistently show that wellnourished students perform better academically , and Bell is proud of the difference they are making .
“ As educators , we ensure that our students are college , career , and life ready by addressing their essential needs ,” Bell said .
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