After collecting almost 1000 food items, the March Madness food drive at Patrick M. Villano School has ended. Donations benefit the Emerson Bible Church, which works directly with families in need in our community and surrounding towns. Homerooms compete to see which class can collect the most items. Tricia Mancino’s fourth grade class won extra recess time this year for bringing in the most items. Ava Finnerty, a fifth-grader, said she was motivated to bring in food.
“I’m excited about the food drive because we got to bring him food and donate it to the people that need it most … at the same time I want to win for my class,” Finnerty explained.
This yearly traditional fundraiser, hosted bt the Student Congress, starts with big, plastic grey bins placed outside of each classroom. Over the course of a week, students bring in canned or boxes food items such as tuna, soup, or cereals.
Kristy Friedman is one of the Student Council advisors who help organize all the donations and bring them to the church across the street.
“Hosting a community food drive is important because it helps provide food to families who may be struggling to afford enough to eat,” Friedman said. “It brings people together to support neighbors in need and shows how small acts of kindness can make a big difference.”
