The first public mural designed and painted by Willard Elementary School students was created in 2016, decorating the side of a building across the street from the Iowa State Fairgrounds. Over the years it’s become an annual tradition, bringing student-created art to their east-side neighborhood.
The tradition continues this year at a new location: the Catholic Charities Food Pantry at 1815 Hubbell Avenue.
Lindsie Manzer, the art teacher at Willard, has spent many hours working with her fifth grade students, teaching them about the color wheel, various art mediums, and how to tell a story with a picture. This spring, Manzer has also shared a few life lessons about food insecurity and how a local food pantries help to put food on otherwise empty tables in their community.
After considering nine different designs, the final selection for the mural was made, one depicting fruits and vegetables being grown with a banner across the top that reads “There’s always a seat at the table.”
On Saturday morning, with the help of local artists Randy and Paula Garza of Crooked Street Studios, Manzer’s fifth graders gathered for a painting party,
The Catholic Charities Food Pantry is a member of the Des Moines Area Religious Council Food Pantry Network and partners with the Food Bank of Iowa to provide nutritious food to the hungry. DMPS works with these community partners in our work to support students and the families in need.
For more information about support provided by the Catholic Charities Food Pantry, click here to visit their web site or call 515-262-7290.
