Second graders at Shady Side Academy Junior School collected a record-setting total of 3,205 non-perishable food items in the annual Second Grade Food Drive.

On Monday, Nov. 18, the class delivered the busload of donations to the food pantry at the First Presbyterian Church of Edgewood, in time to be distributed to needy families for Thanksgiving. The Junior School has partnered with the church on the annual food drive for more than 20 years.

Each year as an interdisciplinary service project, the second grade spearheads a school-wide food drive during the month prior to Thanksgiving. Collection boxes are placed in each classroom of the Junior School, and second graders take on the task of educating their schoolmates about hunger and encouraging them to support the drive. Students use their art skills to create posters, signs and flyers promoting the drive; practice their public speaking skills by making announcements at assembly; and use their math skills to count the items they collect each week.

Congratulations to the students and their teachers, Jennifer Riscili, Kristin Litster and Christina Rowan for their amazing efforts, and thanks to the SSA families who donated to the drive for their kindness.