Ending the school day with a nice snack and refreshing drink can be all that is needed to unwind and get started with after school life – but not all students and teachers get to skip right to that luxury at the 3:30 bell. Many kids are dropped off early or even leave school late, especially if they are affiliated with school activities, such as clubs or sports. Classes like ASB require student participants to stay before or after school hours and ask for a measurable amount of commitment, especially when they cut into a student’s day schedule and prevent them from accessing the nutritional values they need daily.
Most athletes do not get as much fuel for their bodies as is needed when at school and might burn it all during that time, forget their water bottles at home, or just not have anything to eat to begin with. No matter if they are students who put in extra hours to help support their school, students who want to catch up on some good old formulas for their math class, or students who simply have parents that are not able to pick their kids up on time, these individuals should not have to stay hungry until they get home.
Staff members also need snacks to keep them going through all the hard times a day can offer. Everyone, staff included, should have access to a 24/7 food service — cafeteria workers need breaks too and that will keep students from accessing what they want, when they need it. This is why we need to bring back the school vending machines.
“I always grew up with vending machines on campus and thought they were a really good idea for students or staff members who needed a drink or snack,” Sanderlin said.
Although she believes that the greater benefits go to students, she also vouches for the fact that teachers did feel helped as well.
“I remember that we used to have some in the staff lounge and a lot of times substitutes would buy snacks and drinks from there and now there is no access,” Sanderlin said.
Drinks provided by vending machines are also ten times more quality than the school provided fountains and to be frank, school water fountains are not the cleanest option. Vending machines, however, require zero supervision, provide students and staff with the edible items they need during on-campus hours, and could offer benefits for school funding, even if it is at a lesser magnitude.
Access to this valuable but not-yet-attained device is obvious to filling the school with various benefits. With vending machines on campus all day, CHS can provide students with sanitary and necessary items, keep teachers content, and overall improve the presentation of the school.
