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Addressing Food Insecurity Experienced by Elementary School Students through a Weekend Backpack Program

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Title: Addressing Food Insecurity Experienced by Elementary School Students through a Weekend Backpack Program
Language: English
Authors: Mussington, Marlon J.,
Source: ProQuest LLC. 2023Ed.D. Dissertation, University of Pittsburgh.
Availability: ProQuest LLC. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway, P.O. Box 1346, Ann Arbor, MI 48106. Tel: 800-521-0600; Web site: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml
Peer Reviewed: N
Page Count: 86
Publication Date: 2023
Document Type: Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations
Education Level: Elementary Education
Descriptors: Elementary School Students, Food, Hunger, Weekend Programs, Health Programs, Nutrition, Parent Attitudes, Teacher Attitudes, Educational Environment, Eating Habits, Financial Problems, Pandemics, COVID-19, Student Needs, School Role, Barriers
ISBN: 979-83-7767-929-5
Abstract: Food insecurity is a problem for millions of people in the United States. In 2020, 10.5 percent of US households were food insecure, and for people of color, the numbers were even greater. With the United States' history of discrimination against Black and Brown people in areas such as housing, employment, and education, racism is clearly a root cause of the problem. The theory of improvement for this dissertation in practice hypothesizes that increased access to free and nutritious foods will improve the physical, social, and academic outcomes of our students. To address this problem of practice, I implemented a supplemental weekend program that provided backpacks filled with nonperishable food items to students impacted by food insecurity. The inquiry questions that guided this improvement project were: (1) How do parents view the backpack program's impact on their child(ren) and family?, (2) What are the teachers' perceptions of the impact of the weekend backpack program on their students?, and (3) How does the overall school environment help or hinder students to eat healthy? Measures include phone surveys/interviews with 7 parents of students participating in the backpack program, 2 focus groups with 8-12 faculty/staff that work with students receiving backpacks, and field notes to document the school food environment. Quantitative (survey) data analysis includes descriptive statistics and qualitative coding of open-ended questions. Focus group recordings were transcribed and coded with qualitative content analysis and organized into categories and themes. An analysis of field notes includes a qualitative description of observations and findings. Results of qualitative analysis of focus group transcripts revealed 3 overarching themes surrounding teachers' perceptions of the impact of the weekend backpack program on the lives of their students: (1) Household struggles illuminated and exacerbated by a pandemic; (2) School meeting the needs of its students; and (3) Increasing food access for students and families. Main findings reflected challenges to accessing public services and, school resources helping to mitigate the issue of food insecurity for students and families. The implementation of this program highlight the importance of the program and the role schools can play in the communities they serve. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2023
Access URL: https://gateway.proquest.com/openurl?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation&res_dat=xri:pqm&rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:30359538
Accession Number: ED633283
Database: ERIC
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  Data: Addressing Food Insecurity Experienced by Elementary School Students through a Weekend Backpack Program
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  Data: Food insecurity is a problem for millions of people in the United States. In 2020, 10.5 percent of US households were food insecure, and for people of color, the numbers were even greater. With the United States' history of discrimination against Black and Brown people in areas such as housing, employment, and education, racism is clearly a root cause of the problem. The theory of improvement for this dissertation in practice hypothesizes that increased access to free and nutritious foods will improve the physical, social, and academic outcomes of our students. To address this problem of practice, I implemented a supplemental weekend program that provided backpacks filled with nonperishable food items to students impacted by food insecurity. The inquiry questions that guided this improvement project were: (1) How do parents view the backpack program's impact on their child(ren) and family?, (2) What are the teachers' perceptions of the impact of the weekend backpack program on their students?, and (3) How does the overall school environment help or hinder students to eat healthy? Measures include phone surveys/interviews with 7 parents of students participating in the backpack program, 2 focus groups with 8-12 faculty/staff that work with students receiving backpacks, and field notes to document the school food environment. Quantitative (survey) data analysis includes descriptive statistics and qualitative coding of open-ended questions. Focus group recordings were transcribed and coded with qualitative content analysis and organized into categories and themes. An analysis of field notes includes a qualitative description of observations and findings. Results of qualitative analysis of focus group transcripts revealed 3 overarching themes surrounding teachers' perceptions of the impact of the weekend backpack program on the lives of their students: (1) Household struggles illuminated and exacerbated by a pandemic; (2) School meeting the needs of its students; and (3) Increasing food access for students and families. Main findings reflected challenges to accessing public services and, school resources helping to mitigate the issue of food insecurity for students and families. The implementation of this program highlight the importance of the program and the role schools can play in the communities they serve. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
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    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 86
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Elementary School Students
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Food
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Hunger
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Weekend Programs
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Health Programs
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Nutrition
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Parent Attitudes
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      – SubjectFull: Teacher Attitudes
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Educational Environment
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Eating Habits
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Financial Problems
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Pandemics
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: COVID-19
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      – SubjectFull: Student Needs
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      – SubjectFull: School Role
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      – SubjectFull: Barriers
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