Panther Valley students help area food banks
Second-graders at Panther Valley Elementary wrapped up a food drive Friday. Pictured are, front, from left, Lucy Rumske, Storm Clark, Sadie Maefrets, Sophie Thigpen, Ava Achey and Kaylee Stales. Back, Lillian Bynon, Tyler Boyd, Ethan Kosman, James Christianson, Elanna Schiano, Georgia Ward and Natalie Romankow. CHRIS REBER/TIMES NEWS
At Panther Valley Elementary, second-graders forgo exchanging gifts, opting to do something for their community.
This year’s class, the Class of 2028, donated to local food pantries in the Panther Valley area.
Their donations will be split among the Summit Hill Heritage Center, Trinity Lutheran Church in Lansford and Meed’s Memorial United Methodist Church in Nesquehoning.
“Some classes exchange a gift, but second grade has never done that. It’s always some type of charity event,” teacher Stefanie Clark said.
In past years, the group has gathered donations for MapleShade Meadows Senior Living in Nesquehoning and local animal shelters.
The food drive took place over four weeks, starting after Thanksgiving.
Students had no incentive to donate the goods other than helping their community.
Teachers explained to the students the impact that their donations will have on those who are in need this holiday season.
“We mentioned what it means for a food pantry, people go there if they don’t have that extra money, or enough food to feed everyone in their home,” Clark said.
In addition to Clark’s class, students in Alice Andrews, Joanne Damian, Tonya Drum, Tonia Miletto and Lauren Wall’s classes participated.
All told, the six classrooms gathered 10 boxes of food that will be distributed to the pantries.
