Thanks to the combined efforts of 7th graders Lucy Thomas, Isabella Webster and Madison Rizzo, 750 pounds of food was collected to support Columbia and Goff students who participate in the Backpack Program. In order to make this happen, these students left flyers at 150 homes in their neighborhood to solicit food for the drive and created a contactless drop off the weekend of March 13-14.

Collected items included cereal, pasta, snacks, soup, canned food, juice boxes and more.

This is not Ms. Thomas’ first time coordinating a food drive. Last year, after reading the book Hold Fast by Blue Balliett, and reading about children and families that have little to no food, she wanted to have a food drive to provide resources for students who aren’t as lucky as her. Ms. Thomas successfully collected 332 pounds of food last year. With the help of Ms. Webster and Ms. Rizzo, she wanted to do it again this year.

Together these students more than doubled the amount of food collected from last year’s total. These students want to make this an annual event and are motivated to collect even more food next year.