No One Eats Alone Day

No One Eats Alone Day is February 14th

Every year on February 14th schools across America who have signed up to participate in No One Eats Alone Day shine awareness on social isolation in order to bring a stop to the precursor of bullying. This day is not only to bring awareness to social isolation, but it is also to honor the life of Lili Rachel Smith, who was socially isolated in middle school because of a cranial facial syndrome she had. No One Eats Alone Day is completely run by students who want to bring an end to social isolation in their schools.

What Is Social Isolation?

On the No One Eats Alone website, social isolation is defined as “the feeling of being left out, lonely, or invisible.” The feeling of social isolation can be felt throughout the day for students. But the feeling of being left out or lonely can be felt more during lunch time. This is why, on No One Eats Alone Day, students try to eat their lunch with someone new and ensure that no one is eating lunch alone. 

How No One Eats Alone Day Is Celebrated

Schools across America sign up to be a part of No One Eats Alone Day. No One Eats Alone and A Beyond Differences Initiative organization encourage students to take action during their lunchtime to make new friends. During lunchtime, students and teachers make sure that no one is eating by themselves. No One Eats Alone Day is student led, which again encourages students to be the first ones to take action against social isolationism and practice inclusion. 

Schools that partake in No One Eats Alone Day hold different events to practice inclusion. At Lincoln Middle School, to celebrate No One Eats Alone Day their “program included a play about the impact and consequences of bullying” . At Watervliet Elementary School “students hosted an assembly in honor of National No One Eats Alone Day” and “students participated in four workshops designed to teach them about social isolation”. Each school has their own traditions for getting students involved in putting an end to the start of bullying

“Don’t become preoccupied with your child’s academic ability. Instead, teach them to sit with those sitting alone. Teach them to be kind. Teach them to offer their help. Teach them to be a friend of the lonely. Teach them to encourage others. This is how they’ll change the world.” - The Core Project

No One Eats Alone Student Initiative Going Beyond February 14th

No One Eats Alone and A Beyond Differences Initiative organization’s main goal is to prevent social isolation in school. By teaching and having the students take control on how No One Eats Alone Day is celebrated, students can put into action the things they have learned from No One Eats Alone Day. In this YouTube video below one teenager at a High School in South Carolina's life changed all because of a group of students who asked a simple question during lunch time. 

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