Tag Archive | Martin Luther King, Jr. Leadership Academy

OKT’s Program for Growth is back twice as strong

New food gardens at Kentwood Public Schools Glenwood Elementary School

Our Kitchen Table has launched its Program for Growth at two schools this spring. We will again be growing food with parents, caregivers, and students at Grand Rapids Public Schools Martin Luther King Jr. Leadership Academy. And, we will be adding a new school — Kentwood Public Schools Glenwood Elementary School.

In addition to procuring organic foodplants from Blandford Farm, our food gardens will also be planted with home-grown starters from H.O.P.E. Gardens. H.O.P.E. Gardens provides programs for students in grades K-12, including garden education during school and as part of after-school and summer programs. Students grow food on school grounds, integrate garden activities into their curricula, and save and share seeds with community.

Students say “Thank you” for OKT-sponsored tutoring program

Aug30

Thanks to Kent County COVID-19 relief funds, several of Our Kitchen Table’s Program for Growth families at GRPS Martin Luther King Jr. Leadership Academy were able to connect their children with Mosaic Masterminds tutors during the ’20-’21 school year. We were honored to partner with you last year, and together we were able to double our impact of confidence-boosting while providing academic, student support. The scholars worked hard to learn and succeed during very challenging circumstances, and several of them and their families showed their appreciation for our Mosaic Masterminds tutors. You can hear from some of them in this Mosaic Masterminds video.

April Ruiz, Mastermind’s owner and lead tutor, told OKT, “We were honored to partner with you last year, and together we were able to double our impact of confidence-boosting while providing academic, student support. The scholars we were fortunate to serve worked hard to learn and succeed during very challenging circumstances, and several of them and their families showed their appreciation for our Mosaic Masterminds tutors.”

Indoor farmers’ market at MLK school Thursday evening

Nov18

The Southeast Area Farmers’ Market is hosting its first indoor market 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday Nov. 19 at Martin Luther King, Jr. Leadership Academy, 645 Logan SE, 49503. The indoor markets will feature bulk whole and organic foods, for example, oatmeal, flours, nuts, honey, coconut oil, popcorn and more. Shoppers can purchase items with Bridge cards, SNAP, cash, credit and checks. They can also place order items from the Country Life Natural Foods catalog with market manager, Christina Flier. OKT does not mark up prices or charge any fees.

The indoor markets, which OKT hopes to sponsor monthly throughout the school year, are part of its commitment to provide access to healthy foods in neighborhood. If you cannot make it to the market and would like to order bulk whole foods email SEAFM@OKTjustice.org or call 616-206-3641. The next orders are due by 5 p.m.Dec. 9 (pick-up Dec 21 at Garfield Park Lodge, 334 Burton St. SE 49507).