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This teacher needs your help!

Ms. Baran from Roxbury, MA is requesting materials related to food, clothing & hygiene through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

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Powering Through: Helping Students Stay Energized for MCAS

Help me give my students healthy snacks and drinks to stay nourished, focused, and energized during their state MCAS testing days.

$854 goal

This project expired on September 4, 2025.

My Project

My 8th grade students are preparing to take the MCAS—Massachusetts' high-stakes state exams that play a key role in assessing their academic growth. These tests span several days and require intense focus, energy, and stamina. For students to perform their best, they need to come to school nourished and ready to concentrate—but that isn’t always possible.

Most of my students come from low-income households, and many face food insecurity on a regular basis.

Some arrive at school without having eaten breakfast. Expecting them to perform at their highest level under those conditions isn’t just unfair—it’s preventable.

That’s why I’m requesting help in providing nutritious snacks and drinks during MCAS testing days. These small items can have a huge impact: helping students feel cared for, focused, and physically ready to tackle their exams. Snacks like granola bars, crackers, and applesauce are not luxuries—they’re essentials when it comes to leveling the playing field.

My Students:

Our school serves a predominantly low-income population, and many of my 8th graders face challenges beyond the classroom. Despite this, they show up, work hard, and care deeply about their education. They deserve every opportunity to succeed, and that includes being given the basic resources needed to perform their best on important tests like the MCAS.

What We Need:

- Healthy, individually packaged snacks (nut-free granola bars, crackers, fruit cups, applesauce)

- Bottled water or juice boxes

The Impact:

Your donation will directly support students who may otherwise go without food on testing days. With your help, we can ease a bit of the anxiety around testing and remind these kids that their success matters to all of us.

Project tagged as

Roxbury, MA
Grades 6-8
Health & Wellness
Civics & Government
Food, Clothing & Hygiene
More than three‑quarters of students from low‑income households

Ms. Baran Dearborn STEM Academy Grades 6-8

Celebrate Black teachers and kids! This project supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of students are Black.

Equity Focus

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Roxbury, MA View local requests

More than three‑quarters 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

90 students impacted

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes

Materials Cost Quantity Total

GoGo squeeZ Variety Applesauce, 3.2 oz., 20/Box (MNA04331) • Quill.com $27.62 8 $220.96

Snacks Variety Pack for Adults - Snack Box Care Package Gift Box - Bulk Healthy Snack Bag Assortment (34 pack) • Amazon Business $46.99 4 $187.96

Healthy Snack Bars To Go & Bars Gift Variety Pack (Care Package 66 Count) Comes in Elegant LA Signature Gift Box -Bulk Sampler Bars Military Care Package, Office Meetings & More • Amazon Business $44.99 4 $179.96

Honest Kids Organic Juice Drink Assorted Variety Pack, 6 Fl Oz, (40 Count) • Amazon Business $15.99 6 $95.94

Materials cost			$684.82
Vendor shipping charges			FREE
Sales tax			$0.00
3rd party payment processing fee			$10.27
Fulfillment labor & materials			$30.00
Total project cost			$725.09
Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms			$127.96
Total project goal			$853.05

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

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Project Activity

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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. Baran and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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

This teacher needs your help!

Powering Through: Helping Students Stay Energized for MCAS

This project expired on September 4, 2025.

This project expired on September 4, 2025.

My Project

Project tagged as

Celebrate Black teachers and kids! This project supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of students are Black.

Equity Focus

Boost your odds

Top rated for efficiency and transparency.

TEACHERS, FEELING INSPIRED?

Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes

Give the most requested basic supplies

Give back to your community

Project Activity

Project Activity

DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

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