During the government shutdown, more than 1,350 students in the Morris School District faced food insecurity and the sudden loss of SNAP benefits. In response, The Education Association of Morris (TEAM), together with district staff, parents and community partners, played a pivotal role in ensuring no child was left without support.
Superintendent Anne Mucci convened community leaders, administrators and staff to develop a coordinated plan. From that meeting, two major initiatives emerged, both strengthened by TEAM’s leadership and commitment to students.
Initiative 1: Grocery Gift Certificate Distribution
- Parents and community organizations partnered with the district to donate 1,600 $25 supermarket gift certificates.
- These were distributed before the NJEA Convention, helping sustain students through the extended weekend.
- The district expressed gratitude to parents, the HSA, the board of education, the Presbyterian church, the Rotary Club of Morristown and Kings Supermarket for their collaboration.
Initiative 2: Emergency Food Bags
- The second phase was spearheaded by TEAM, whose members initiated and organized the Emergency Bag program.
- Debora Petrucci, TEAM’s chair of community outreach, coordinated the effort in partnership with the Interfaith Food Pantry and the Presbyterian church.
- Together, they distributed 420 Emergency Bags, over six tons of food, to families whose benefits were interrupted.
- TEAM’s members donated food, volunteered time and coordinated school-based efforts through ARs.
- High school teachers delivered bags to schools, while students from Student Government, National Honor Society, Interact Club and Key Club joined in assembling them.
Community Partners Supporting TEAM’s Effort
- Morristown and Chester ShopRite donated bags.
- Crossfit 13 Stars contributed boxes of cereal.
- The Interfaith Food Pantry supplied more than 150 completed Emergency Bags.
- Nourish.NJ provided supplemental meals.
- Penske generously donated a truck to transport materials.
A Unified Effort, With TEAM at the Heart
While many organizations came together, it was The Education Association of Morris that mobilized staff, coordinated logistics and ensured families had immediate relief. Their leadership exemplifies the power of educators not only in the classroom but also in safeguarding the well-being of their students during times of crisi