Schools
Mill Creek Elementary Raises $1,000 for Local Food Pantry
Mill Creek Elementary raises $1,000 for ERA Food Pantry while supporting the Sandy Hook Promise
LEVITTOWN – As a way to collect money for the local ERA food pantry, Mill Creek Elementary’s Student Council hosted This Is Me Day. Students in all grade levels and staff dressed up in their favorite after school activity and donated $2 to participate.
The goal of This Is Me Day was not only to raise money, but also to connect students with others who share similar interests. Students dressed up in dance costumes, sports uniforms, chef hats and aprons, and other outfits.
This Is Me Day is the first of the many of Mill Creek’s events designed to reduce social isolation as part of Sandy Hook Promise’s Start With Hello program. Sandy Hook Promise is a non-profit organization that provides programs and practices to protect children and prevent gun violence. One of these programs is Start With Hello, which teaches youth to minimize social isolation by empathizing with others and creating a more inclusive and connected school environment.
Find out what's happening in Levittownfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The fourth grade Student Council members created collection envelopes for the food pantry and were in charge of collecting them. At the end of This Is Me Day, fifth grade Student Council members stayed after school to count the money raised in each classroom – $1,000 total.
“This year's food drive was the most successful we have ever had in more than 20 years of hosting it,” said Student Council Advisor Cathy Ivins. “Student Council has been strong supporters of the food pantry for many years since it serves our own Mill Creek families. In the past, we collected food donations; however, providing cash allowed the pantry to give out grocery store gift cards or purchase what they were short of.”
Find out what's happening in Levittownfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
On Nov. 20, Ivins and Student Council President Ayden Brenner proudly presented a check for $1,000 to Nancy Shanberg of the ERA Food Pantry.
The Sandy Hook Promise continues on Nov. 27 with Say Hey Day. All students and staff will be given name tags to wear so they can say “Hey” and introduce themselves to others. Young people who are socially isolated can feel left out, lonely and invisible, and are often victims of bullying, depression and acts of violence. Say Hey Day encourages students to reach out and say “Hey” when they see someone alone. By the simple act of saying hello, a conversation can start and brighten a student’s day.
