Kids Collecting Canned Goods for Wellness Campaign

Students at Walter T. Bergen School are collecting food this month as part of an initiative that encourages healthy eating and more exercise.

Students are collecting food as part of the Mayor’s Wellness Campaign, a program designed to empower municipal leaders with the tools to implement active-living initiatives in their communities.

The school has partnered with the Bloomingdale Health Department to run the drive.

“We want to educate the children about the realities of hunger in New Jersey. Hunger exists in our own backyard,” said Christie Navea-Jaime, the Bloomingdale health educator. “That education is important because we want the children to understand why we are doing this food drive.”

Students are collecting the following foods. Donated goods should come in cans or plastic jars:

• Tuna, salmon, chicken, and ham
• Shelf-stable milk like Parmalat
• Pasta, rice, and cereal
• Macaroni and cheese, chili, stews, and meaty soups
• Peanut butter (in plastic jars only)
• Fruit and vegetables.

The food drive ends May 31.

The homeroom that’s collected the most food will be given a party with healthy food — salad and sandwiches— rather than pizza.