Cullen Middle School students made the holiday season a little brighter on Thursday for their community during the campus’ school market, where 150 families were provided with more than 2,000 pounds of free groceries.  

The School Market, which is a bi-weekly food distribution run entirely by student volunteers, provides food assistance to community members, as well as families of students from Cullen and nearby Foster, Lockhart and Peck elementary schools. The provisions are especially beneficial to parents in need during the holidays. 

“Here at our school a large percentage of our families live at or below the poverty line,” said Cullen Wraparound Specialist Nora Lemon, who oversees the entire operation. “This market provides the flexibility and sustainability they need to ensure their students are fed and eating healthy meals at home.” 

The groceries are supplied by the Houston Food Bank, which delivers ten pallets filled with food and pantry staples every other Thursday. More than two dozen students operate the free market, which teaches them the importance of teamwork and serving others.  

“I wanted to help because you don’t want to see people down,” Cullen eighth-grader Jade said. “Everyone has problems, but we all have to eat, and it feels good to help out my community.”