Mrs. Miller’s and Mrs. Oberlin’s classes have been reading the book Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate. The family in the story struggles to pay their bills and even has to live in their van. Jackson and his sister are able to have 1 bag of keepsakes, but everything else is sold to help pay the bills. We learned that when families are struggling to buy food or pay the rent, children often go without toys, books, and new clothes. We also learned that there are people in our own community who face the same kind of struggle. Our classes have joined together to support Heart to Heart Food Pantry throughout the year. Our first project will be a holiday toy and book drive.
The class kicked off a Toy Drive for Heart to Heart Food Pantry last week. We made an announcement at Town Meeting and visited with Lamar Graham the Director of Heart to Heart. We learned that while they are primarily a food pantry, they welcome the opportunity to serve their clients needs in other ways. Their typical client is between the ages of 18 and 59 and has 3 children. We hope to collect as many new and gently used toys and books by Monday, December 14th. The toys can be for any age child. We hope to deliver the toys in person at the end of our collection period. Clients visiting the food pantry later that week will be able to select some gifts for their children in addition to shopping for food. Last year our Wickliffe community generously donated over 400 items! Donations boxes will be located in the school lobby and outside Mrs. Oberlin and Mrs. Miller’s classrooms.
As you begin your holiday shopping, please consider picking up something extra for a family in need. Perhaps your child can do some extra chores to earn money and make their own contribution. This is also an excellent opportunity to clean closets and consider donating gently used toys and books that might be treasures to someone else.
For more information contact [email protected] or [email protected].
