‘100th day of school’ food drives: West Seattle Food Bank’s thanks, plus Schmitz Park, Alki, STEM results

We photographed that big pile of donated food this morning at the West Seattle Food Bank – just part of what’s been brought in as part of the “100th day of school” food drives at several local schools, with more on the way. Marveling at what the local schools accomplished so that WS Food Bank could help its clients, operations director Steven Curry told WSB, “This drive could provide us with the largest food buffer we have ever had at this time, (during the) usual lull in giving after the holidays. What a fantastic story on how something so simple communicated to a community, listening and caring, will serve so many people.”

He says the donated food in the photo is from Schmitz Park and Alki Elementaries – both of whom, in fact, sent in their reports overnight. First, from Schmitz Park, kindergarten teacher Mandy Cook reports:

Schmitz Park Elementary totaled in at 1,193 food items!!! The West Seattle Food bank had to come back and collect overflowing barrels 4 times! Staff and students had fun collecting, competing and tallying by classroom. Thanks again for the wonderful opportunity Arbor Heights. Count us in for next year!

And from Alki, fourth-grade teacher Anna Coghill reports:

Alki Elementary is happy to report we collected 1,319 items for the West Seattle Food Bank. Thank you for the inspiration Arbor Heights students and teachers. It was a great success.

That’s a reference, of course, to AH teacher Marcia Ingerslev and her class, which issued the original challenge to other schools/classes in the area. We reported their results (4 AH classes in all) here; Gatewood Elementary here: Holy Rosary School here; Cometa Playschool here. Still awaiting at least one more report. Congratulations to all!

ADDED 5:53 PM: Robin Graham from the West Seattle STEM PTA reports their donation is part of what you see in our photo from the food bank:

STEM dropped off our food Thursday afternoon … At least 200 items donated from the families at STEM. Thanks, Arbor Heights, for the great idea – we would love to do it again next year!

And from Arbor Heights, Marcia Ingerslev shared a photo of her visit to the White Center Food Bank:

She explains in the comment section below – and expresses her pride at everyone’s contribution, too.

8 Replies to "'100th day of school' food drives: West Seattle Food Bank's thanks, plus Schmitz Park, Alki, STEM results"

  • SomeGuy February 22, 2013 (12:48 pm)

    Great story. Kudos to all the kids and their families who helped support such a great cause.

  • coffee February 22, 2013 (12:54 pm)

    I think these types of activities are excellent teaching methods! I am always very excited to see students learning how giving helps and what the results of giving can be!

    • WSB February 22, 2013 (1:32 pm)

      Apparently they’re asking for food-bank tours too, which will make it even more educational :)

  • miws February 22, 2013 (3:59 pm)

    Great job by all the kids, and everyone involved!

    .

    Mike

  • Marcia Ingerslev February 22, 2013 (4:50 pm)

    I am literally moved to tears. I cannot wait to tell my students. I am just thrilled with the response of these West Seattle schools. aren’t you proud to be a West Seattlite? My husband and I went to take the food Arbor Heights collected to the food bank and it had closed just before we got there. I seriously underestimated how much time it would take this old lady to load this much food. We decided to try the White Center Food Bank and the people there were thrilled. They said they really needed the donation. He said we made his day. He made ours for certain. Isn’t it funny how things have a way of working out when you let them.

    • WSB February 22, 2013 (5:07 pm)

      Thanks, Ms. Ingerslev – that explains the photo you sent, which I will be adding to this story momentarily, with one more school’s report. Thanks to you and your students and colleagues for inspiring so much giving! – TR

  • RBer February 22, 2013 (7:53 pm)

    I’ve known Marcia as a teacher for years. She makes learning so meaningful to kids. Her students don’t just learn a topic of concept, they experience and live it! (Isn’t that what learning is really all about?) She should be nominated for a Golden Apple!

  • Wishing February 23, 2013 (6:24 am)

    Hoping my kindergartner at AH lands in Ms. It’s class next year!!!

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