Students at Brooklin Village Public School have collected 1,263 food items for local food banks serving the Whitby community.
The drive was led by the school's Grade 6 Leadership Team, an 18-member group that took on the project after a need was identified through the School Community Council, according to a post on the Brooklin Village Public School website.
The students organized and ran the food drive as a school-wide effort, encouraging classmates and families to donate in support of households facing food insecurity in Whitby.
Their teacher said the project went beyond the donation itself.
"Our Grade 6 Leadership Team showed what community leadership looks like in action," said Julian Segura, Grade 4/5 teacher at Brooklin Village Public School, in the post. "Through their efforts, they not only collected a significant amount of food for local families but also raised awareness about an important need within our community. We are incredibly proud of their compassion, dedication, and hard work. They have made a meaningful impact and demonstrated what student leadership can accomplish."
Students expressed pride in their part of the effort. Watching the donated food pile grow helped them see that their work was making a real difference in the lives of others, the post said.
Whitby Mayor Elizabeth Roy visited the school to collect the donations in person, helping the students load the food into her truck. Through the School Community Council's outreach, the students learned about the role local food banks play and the effect their donation will have on families across Whitby.
The visit gave the students a first-hand look at how their actions can create positive change in the community around them, the school said.
The school said the leadership team's work demonstrated empathy, civic responsibility and a commitment to helping others, offering an example of the impact young people can have close to home.
