By Tracie Seed

At Harmony School of Excellence, the commitment to student success extends far beyond academics. For the past several years, one quiet but powerful initiative has been helping students feel secure, confident and cared for: the Tiger Pantry.

The Tiger Pantry was established in 2021 as a grassroots effort by staff members who recognized a growing need among their students. With guidance and support from campus leaders and several CRLP mentors, the idea took shape: a discreet, student-centered resource to provide essential items for those in need or facing sudden hardship.

The Tiger Pantry at Harmony Public Schools Central Texas was designed with one simple goal: to provide help without embarrassment.

“The goal was to create something that offered help without embarrassment, a place where students could get what they needed, when they needed it, in a way that preserved their dignity,” said Spanish teacher and this year’s pantry manager, Jennifer Gomez.

Located in a discreet area of campus, the pantry has quickly become a trusted resource for students.

“Our students have been wonderful about using the Tiger Pantry respectfully, only taking what they need and helping keep it clean,” Gomez said. “Some of our students are in homeless or difficult situations, and we’ve added more items based on their needs. Whether it’s for an emergency, after sports, or when someone forgets deodorant, they can grab what they need without feeling embarrassed. It helps in small ways and big ways alike.”

From its inception, the pantry has been stocked with essential hygiene items, including deodorant, toothpaste, soap, and feminine hygiene products, all of which can significantly enhance a student’s comfort and confidence at school. Staff members often donate these items. Over time, the pantry expanded to include gently used uniforms, socks, belts, shoes and food. For families struggling to meet daily expenses, having access to such essentials means one less worry and one more opportunity for students to focus on learning.

“The vast majority of our students are of lower socioeconomic status, and there was a desperate need we discovered for a discreet but present approach to support our students in need or in crisis,” said former pantry manager Victor Rodriguez Alarcon, College Seminar and Success Advisor as well as Economics and Government Instructor.

The Tiger Pantry also serves as a distribution hub for donated food items, often gathered through CRLP, PTO or student-led drives around the holidays. After these drives conclude, leftover items, from canned goods to boxed meals, are stored in the pantry, ready to be distributed. In this way, the pantry not only meets emergency needs but also extends the spirit of generosity that defines the Harmony community.

Over the years, the stewardship of the Tiger Pantry has evolved, with new staff and mentors stepping in to continue its mission. What began as a small, mentor-led project has grown into a campuswide culture of compassion and care.

“This is not just about the pantry,” Gomez said. “It’s about showing our students that their school sees them, that we care about their well-being as much as their grades.”

The pantry’s success depends heavily on collaboration among teachers, staff and community partners. When the initiative first began, mentors worked closely with administrators to organize donation drives and maintain a steady supply of items on the shelves. Today, Gomez coordinates with other staff members and student organizations to maintain inventory, identify needs and find creative ways to keep the pantry supplied.

Even as staff members change and new groups of students pass through the halls of Harmony School of Excellence, the heart of the Tiger Pantry remains the same: to ensure every student has what they need to thrive. It is a simple yet profound mission that reminds everyone at the school that excellence is not only about achievement but also about compassion.

The pantry stands as a symbol of community strength, a testament to what can happen when educators and students come together with empathy and purpose. What started as a modest effort to meet basic needs has evolved into a lasting tradition of care, demonstrating that small acts of kindness can have a profound impact on a student's life.

A special shoutout goes to the dedicated staff members who have helped the Tiger Pantry thrive. Mr. Victor Rodriguez Alarcon, College Seminar and Success Advisor and Economics and Government Instructor; Ms. Sarah Anwar, SPED Teacher for Behavior; and Ms. Chelsea Kuhrt, Campus Instructional Coach for English Language Arts and Reading, have all gone above and beyond to ensure the pantry remains clean, stocked, and welcoming. Their teamwork and compassion have been vital in making this initiative a true success, proof that when educators care beyond the classroom, great things happen.

As Harmony School of Excellence continues to grow and evolve, so too does the Tiger Pantry. Each new donation, each restocked shelf, and each student helped is a reflection of the school’s core belief: that education is most powerful when it nourishes both the mind and the heart.