Groups of students at both Churchville-Chili High School and Middle School came up with unique and generous ways to make a difference for their community during the holiday season. At the Middle School, students collected non-perishable food items throughout December for donation to the Pearce Food Cupboard in North Chili. Their “Stuff the Bus” initiative involved the efforts of students from all three Houses at the Middle School, plus many student volunteers who packed boxes, cheerfully loaded them all on a school bus, and then delivered them to the Food Cupboard on December 22.
At the High School, students in the Life Skills class chose to use some of the proceeds from last year’s Coffee Cart project to also benefit the Pearce Food Cupboard. The Coffee Cart, a student-run enterprise that provides both hot beverages for its customers and job training for students, was absent from the halls this year due to COVID-19. Teacher Margaret Brongo said, “The kids decided to put their earnings from last year to work to help others. They made a budget. They learned about perishable and non-perishable foods. The food pantry supplied suggestions, and students made grocery lists, adjusting them to stay within budget.”
Brongo made the actual purchases. Then she and teaching assistant Tracey Allchin set up a simulated store in the classroom complete with taped lines and arrows on the floor to adhere to social distancing rules. Their seven students were able to try out shopping, checking out, and paying for items. The project was another chance for students to practice communication and social skills, along with getting practical experience with math and money.
The Pearce Food Cupboard is located at 4322 Buffalo Road, North Chili. It distributes food and personal care items to families in the community throughout the year.
Provided information and photos
