A student at Paris High School is making a meaningful impact on campus and beyond through an innovative project aimed at reducing food insecurity and minimizing food waste.
Driven by her passion to make a difference, Mary Grace Gibbons successfully secured funding to launch a Community Refrigerator Initiative at Paris High School. This student-led effort focuses on providing accessible food resources for students while also supporting the broader community.
The inspiration behind the project is rooted in the care and compassion of former Paris ISD and Paris High School cafeteria employee Marvin Wroten. Mr. Marvin noticed that while some students were still hungry after going through the lunch line, a significant amount of unopened food was being thrown away each day. His idea of a “shared table” allowed students to place unopened items for others to take if needed. However, due to the challenge of keeping items properly refrigerated, the concept eventually faded.
Building on that idea, Mary Grace developed a sustainable solution—one that honors his vision while addressing the limitations. She has named the project “Mr. Marvin’s Market” in recognition of the care and concern he showed for students.
The project centers around the installation of a refrigerator on campus where students can place unopened, unused cafeteria items—such as milk, juice, and whole fruit—instead of throwing them away. These items are then available for other students who may need additional food during the school day.
“Food insecurity is a reality for many students, and at the same time, we see perfectly good food going to waste every day,” said Gibbons. “This project is about making sure that food is used to help others instead of being discarded.”
The success of the project has also been strengthened through strong community support. Mark and Mandeep Chatha-Homer with Sonic Drive-In played a key role in bringing the vision to life. Mr. Homer purchased the refrigerator through Sonic, assisted in selecting an appropriate unit, and covered the cost of labeling. In addition, both Mr. and Mrs. Homer provided guidance throughout the process, helping Mary Grace gather necessary financial information and offering support every step of the way.
The refrigerator has been placed in a monitored and approved location on campus and follows all school food safety guidelines. In addition to supporting students at Paris High School, the initiative extends its impact into the community. Any remaining unopened items at the end of each week will be donated to CitySquare, a local organization that serves individuals experiencing homelessness and food insecurity.
The project was developed with clear goals in mind:
• Increase student access to available food resources • Reduce cafeteria food waste • Support student health, focus, and daily energy levels • Establish a sustainable, low-cost system to address food needs
Implementation of the project began with planning and approvals in late 2025, followed by the purchase and installation of the refrigerator in March 2026.
Paris ISD leaders applaud Gibbons’ initiative and the real-world impact it is already making.
“This project is a powerful example of student leadership in action,” said Althea Dixon. “Mary Grace identified a need, created a solution, and is now helping both her peers and the greater community. We are incredibly proud of her initiative and compassion for others.”
Success of the program will be measured through consistent student use, regular weekly donations, and feedback from both students and staff.
The Community Refrigerator Initiative—“Mr. Marvin’s Market”—reflects Paris ISD’s commitment to supporting the whole student while empowering young leaders to make a difference.
