January 04, 2016
Prior to the end of 2015, third grade students decided that they wanted to give back to the north St. Louis community. Third graders, along with the support from their teacher, Ms. Pearson, planned to collect canned foods. However, since City Academy is a family, the third graders invited all classes to participate in this worthy cause. And what better way than by making it a competition? The class who collected the most food cans would be the winner!
The food drive began on December 7 and ended on December 17. In less than two weeks, the students collected nearly 1,500 cans of food for the north St. Louis community! These items were donated to our neighbor, Memorial Boulevard Christian Church. The church hosts a food pantry and distributes food within our neighborhood every week.
We were truly blessed to be able to support the north St. Louis community. On December 18, the day before holiday break began, third grade students and sixth graders loaded the 1,500 cans into six cars and personally delivered the items to the food pantry. The sixth grade class unloaded the food onto the nearly bare shelves at the food pantry. They could see first-hand the difference they were making by filling the shelves and having so much food to donate that many items had to stay in boxes on the floor!
Even though the first grade class won by donating 279 cans of food, the sixth grade class felt like winners because they were able to give back to the community. Sixth grade students only had great things to say about why they wanted to support north St. Louis:
“It was really important for us to give back to the community since they’ve given us so much. It was actually really fun!” Cecily, 6th grade student
“It’s good to give back to our community because we’re growing up in the community. And we’re helping people who are like us and helping them by giving them a better life.” Versele, 6th grade student
“It’s important to help people in the community because sometimes people just need a helpful start. And sometimes people just don’t think to give others food who are in need.” Mekhi, 6th grade student