Giving Back to the Community

[Jessica at Parenting.com]

My daughter is only in daycare / preschool, but one of the things I love about her school is their philosophy of giving back to the community. They put on holiday shows at the senior-citizens' center, they participate in neighborhood fundraisers ... I think it's a cool thing for my daughter to be learning at her age.

It makes me wonder: how are other schools involved in the community? What does your kid's school do to give back?

[big-mouth-burgher]

My boys' school collects food once a month for our local food bank. The first week of the month, they have a big box in the lobby and the kids are asked to bring in food. The food is collected every month of the school year and they have been doing this for many years.

[ptapeep]

Here in Louisville, many of our schools have Builder's Clubs or Beta Clubs that require volunteer activities. Some students initiate projects or connect with pre-exisiting programs. My son's elementary school collected over 2200lbs of food for the Dare to Care foodbank program. As the president of the 15th D. PTA (which oversees all the public schools in Louisville and has about 58,000 members), we run a Clothing Assistance Program that provides a free pair of uniform pants, shirt, socks, underwear and a belt to families. We also have donated clothing (some brand new) and shoes that families are allowed to take as needed. last year during the school year we served 5000 families. This year since July we have served close to 5500. We have two schools, Churchill Park and Binet that have ECE students who work in the werehouse on a weekly basis, then we have PTA and community volunteers who run the program. My son's have volunteered here for the last few years, especially in the summer and during winter and spring break. It is important that my children know that I walk the talk. That when I ask for volunteers that I also volunteer. When I ask for sacrifice that I sacrifice. My son's may not know that their classmates are struggling, but they need to be aware that they can do something about it.

[Mommy3boys]

My mom published a children's book, Ladybug Baby Bug, and half the books sales benefit the Mid-Ohio Foodbank. It's a great book and a great cause for those looking for children's picture books for ages 0-5. You can get it from any of the major online booksellers.

[BRoxMum]

Our school collects cans of food and hosts a Swap Meet before Christmas. Imagine going to a Goodwill store but not having to pay for a thing. We collect clothes, toys, bikes...anything relating to the needs of a family.

[MRich]

We do a food drive each spring and try to really get the community involved too. The kids really get a kick out of it and I think it is a great cause and great way to get little ones involved. We just signed up for Schools Serve which is a national group that is supporting school food drives. I should be getting a great planning kit in the mail this month - hoping to make ours even bigger than it has been!