You're on track to get doubled donations (and unlock a reward for the colleague who referred you). Keep up the great work!
Take credit for your charitable giving! Check out your tax receipts
Donate
To use your $50 gift card credits, find a project to fund and we'll automatically apply your credits at checkout. Find a classroom project
Skip to main content

Help teachers & students in your hometown this season!
Use code HOME at checkout and your donation will be matched up to $100.

Your school email address was successfully verified.

See this teacher's page

This teacher needs your help!

Ms. Maltese from Portland, OR is requesting materials related to food, clothing & hygiene through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Ms. Maltese is requesting

From Food Forest to Table

Help me give my students the chance to learn how to cook and preserve foods from our garden to address food insecurities and awareness of edible weeds.

FULLY FUNDED! Ms. Maltese's classroom raised $690

This project is fully funded

My Project

In April 2025, my environmental students planted an 8,000 sq ft food forest on our campus, filled with trees, shrubs, and ground covers they selected to reflect both ecological benefits and cultural significance. This year, students will take the next step, learning how to harvest with the seasons and transform what they’ve grown into food, medicine, and preserved goods.

The specific items for this project, such as canning jars, dehydrators, cooking tools, and preservation equipment, will directly expand students’ hands-on learning.

They won’t just read about food systems; they will experience the entire cycle from planting to preparation. This deepens their scientific understanding, practical skills, and cultural connections to food. Projects will range from sautéing, pickling, and making syrups to dehydrating produce and creating herbal salves.

The goal is to equip students with life skills they can share with their families and community, increasing food literacy and self-sufficiency, while also building awareness of how food forests can strengthen community resilience, biodiversity, and cultural connection.

What makes my students special is their drive to create something lasting for the school and neighborhood. This class exists because of their passion, sparked in our environmental club and fueled by participation across all grade levels. Many of our students face food insecurity, so the ability to eat what they grow is not only motivating but deeply meaningful. Their dedication, curiosity, and care for one another make this project more than just a class, it’s a community movement.

Ms. Maltese Oliver Middle School Grades 6-8

Equity Focus

This project directly supports students at a historically underfunded school. Learn more about our Equity Focus.

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Portland, OR View local requests

More than half of students from low‑income households Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more

180 students impacted 7donors

Boost your odds

Add a profile photo in addition to your classroom photo. If you add a photo, it'll show up right here on your project page.

You are more likely to receive funding if you put a face to your name.

Upload a photo

Top rated for efficiency and transparency.

You donate directly to the teacher or project you care about and see where every dollar you give goes.

Expand the "Where your donation goes" section below to see exactly what Ms. Maltese is requesting.

See our finances

TEACHERS, FEELING INSPIRED?

You can start a project with the same resources being requested here!

Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
Crux Portable Induction Cooktop, Electric Hot Plate, Programmable Single Burner with Touchscreen LCD Display, Temperature Control, and Auto Shut Off, 1800 Watt, Black • Amazon Business $42.69 2 $85.38
Elite Gourmet EFD329WD Digital Food Dehydrator with 5 BPA Free SlimStore™ Collapsible Trays for Compact Storage, Adjustable Timer and Temperature Controls, Jerky, Herbs, Fruit, Veggies, Snacks, White • Amazon Business $39.99 2 $79.98
Cuisinart 719-18 Chef's Classic Stainless 2-Quart Saucepan with Cover • Amazon Business $39.95 2 $79.90
Betty Crocker 6-Qt Slow Cooker, Silver (BC-4587S) • Quill.com $64.59 1 $64.59
Fry Pan 9 1/2 in Dia SS • Grainger $31.81 2 $63.62
Country Living 20-Piece Kitchen Knife Quality Stainless-Steel Blades with Guards, Complete Set includes Knives, Shears, Acacia Cutting Board and Flexible Chopping Mats, Blue • Amazon Business $29.73 2 $59.46
COOK WITH COLOR Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls Set - Nesting Bowls with Non-Slip Bottom and Easy-Grip Handles, Silver, 12 Pieces • Amazon Business $18.99 2 $37.98
Mason Jars 8 oz 30 Pack- Small Mason Jars With Silver Lids -1/4 Quart Canning Jars| Storage Glass Jars With Lids For Jelly, Jam, Honey, Pickles - Spice Glass Jars - With 30 Chalkboard Labels • Amazon Business $28.69 1 $28.69
Accguan 4oz / 120ml Mason Jars Glass Jelly Jars, Canning Jars With Regular Lids, Ideal for Honey,Jam,Wedding Favors,Shower Favors, 40 Pack • Amazon Business $27.99 1 $27.99
Stainless Steel Funnel, Walfos Kitchen Funnel with 2 Removable Strainer ＆ 1Pc Cleaning Brush, Perfect for Transferring of Liquid, Oils, Jam, Dry Ingredients & Powder (4.1") • Amazon Business $9.99 2 $19.98

Materials cost

$547.57

Vendor shipping charges

 FREE

Sales tax

 $0.00

3rd party payment processing fee

$8.21

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$585.78

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$103.37

Total project goal

$689.15

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

 $689.15

5 Donors

-$355.76

Donations toward project cost

-$313.15

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$42.61

Matching donations from our partners

-$320.74

Match offers toward project cost

-$272.63

Match offers to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$48.11

Excluded support for DonorsChoose

-$12.65

Still needed View calculationHide calculation

 $0.00

Our team works hard to negotiate the best pricing and selections available.

View complete list Show less

Give the most requested basic supplies

See teacher requests

Give back to your community

Find opportunities to impact local needs by exploring a map of classroom projects near you.

See local area

Project Activity

Project Activity
Back to top

DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Ms. Maltese and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

See how DonorsChoose works
{"pmaHash":"","showProjectRecommendations":true,"leadGenEnabled":true,"hideTeacherDetails":false,"schoolState":"OR","teacherPossessivePronoun":"her","PMsManager":null,"schoolGradeType":{"id":3,"name":"Middle School"},"TeacherPMForms":{},"completingDonationAmount":0,"teacherHasClassroomPhoto":true,"proposalURL":"https://www.donorschoose.org/project/from-food-forest-to-table/9583703/","mayHaveReplacements":true,"numStudents":180,"isEquityFocusV1":true,"teacherScreenName":"Ms. Maltese","isEquityFocus":true,"proposalHash":"2029114435","isApplePayMobileOnly":true,"progressBarPercentage":100.00,"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"photosPublished":false,"queryString":"","DonorPMForm":null,"shouldTrackEquityFocusV2":true,"schoolCity":"Portland","teachersOnPage":[4059223],"isTeacherViewingTheirOwnProject":false,"minimizedLeadGenEnabled":true,"proposalId":9583703,"proposalMessageFormModel":null,"numActiveProjects":0,"verifyShowPhotos":"","eligibleToBeCopied":false,"schoolId":88193,"schoolName":"Oliver Middle School","authorIds":{"4059223":{"owner":"Ms. Maltese","donationSalutations":{}}},"displayedPercentFunded":1.0,"proposalsOnPage":[9583703],"pmaId":"","teacherProfilePhotoURL":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp4059223_orig.jpg?crop=2061,2061,x0,y669&width=272&height=272&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1755052355785","teacherHasProfilePhoto":true,"currentWorkflowStatusCode":21,"teacherChallengeId":20875049,"isApplePayEnabled":true,"fundedByTarget":false,"activeProject":null,"donorIdsForImpactPhotoCheck":[],"teacherId":4059223,"schoolCounty":"Multnomah","fullyFunded":true,"isStudentLed":false,"isExpired":true,"schoolStateObj":{"code":"OR","name":"Oregon"}}