Marcus Mart is a social impact recurring program led by Hockaday students that supports the food pantry at DISD’s Herbert Marcus Elementary School.
Founded by Olivia Park ‘23, Marcus Mart was created to increase access for local families to healthier food options.
One of the current leaders, junior Gwen Dodson realizes the importance that the food pantry has for Marcus families.
“[Marcus Mart] has opened my eyes more,” Dodson said. “It’s only ten minutes away from school, and none of the families at Hockaday are relying on food donations, so it’s really shocking to see how close the school is to us.”
By building a relationship with one of the teachers who works at Marcus Elementary, Hockaday students are able to provide specific foods families need.
“The families are wanting more meals like Hamburger Helper and mac and cheese,” Dodson said. “Communicating with [the teachers] helps us focus more on getting the types of donations that we need for [Marcus Mart].”
The relationships between the student volunteers and the Marcus families also bring the communities closer.
“I love getting to see the kids there because it’s their families that we’re helping,” Dodson said. “Building connections with the kids and families is really nice.”
Wanting to empathize with the families at Marcus, Dodson sees the resources students have at Hockaday can be shared to the surrounding area of Dallas.
“I hope that we can help these families and provide for them,” Dodson said. “We have so many resources [at Hockaday], and I think we need to share these resources to people who are less fortunate.”
Junior Tatum Vranich also enjoys helping the families get what they need to eat for dinner.
“I love seeing the smiles on the parents’ faces when we hand deliver the food we packed for them,” Vranich said. “The kids love it and always wave to us. The parents are always very grateful when we give them the food.”
Even a small gesture can go a long way at Marcus Mart. For kids who might not have the privilege of small snacks every day, the littlest acts of kindness that Hockaday students provide for the kids are worth it when they volunteer.
“When we give the kids snacks, they get so happy,” Vranich said. “I realize that they don’t always get snacks and I love seeing their reactions.”
Realizing the impact that food has on each individual family, Vranich knows that helping with the food pantry also helps Marcus students with school.
“Just showing up every week and giving them the food they need is making an impact at home,” Vranich said. “I want to be able to eliminate hunger for the children and families, so they can focus more on their schoolwork rather than them focusing on their hunger.”
Sophomore Elizabeth Atkinson enjoys visiting the school and helping families.
“It has made me realize that people that go [to Hockaday], including me, are in a bubble, and we don’t realize that there are a lot of issues surrounding us,” Atkinson said.
Atkinson now sees the greater importance that Marcus Mart has and its impact on the families .
“We’re the ones packing the food but being told that the food we pack could contribute to a family dinner or birthday really helps us connect with the families,” Atkinson said. “I want to figure out the best way for me to utilize what I love to do. I want to be able to help a broader community and the world.”
Atkinson can reflect on how using her skill of organization can help while working at Marcus Mart.
“Working at Marcus Mart is a way that I can help the broader community and utilize what I love to do to help people,” Atkinson said.
