Celebrating Service in Our Community: Third Grade Food Drive

In its eighth consecutive year, Davidson Day executed a creative and collaborative plan led by 3rd Grade students and 3rd Grade Teacher Mrs. Christy Dickson that resulted in 2,620 pounds of donated food and personal hygiene supplies that will benefit families in the Lake Norman area. 

“Thank you for organizing the Davidson Day Third Grade Food Drive for Ada Jenkins,” said Heidi Acker, the coordinator of the Loaves and Fishes Pantry at the Ada Jenkins Center.  “We ended up collecting 2,620 pounds of much-needed food and personal hygiene items.” 

Mrs. Dickson originated the project in her first year as a member of the Davidson Day faculty, recognizing the importance of character development through participation and organization of a hands-on philanthropic activity that would help local families. 

“Usually, this food drive lasts for three weeks, but this year due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, we coordinated all food drive donations on just one day,” said Dickson.  “Our students went way beyond our expectations in encouraging donations and safely processing and organizing the food and hygiene items to be sent to Ada Jenkins.”  

Each year, all of Davidson Day’s 3rd Grade classrooms participate in the Food Drive, including the 2020 Food Drive, in which the 3rd Grade class of Mrs. Tracy Blackledge was a full collaborator.

“I liked making the signs to advertise the food drive with my class, said Hanna Strand ‘30. “Sorting the donations was fun, and it made me happy because I knew I was helping other people.”

A photo album of the day of donations can be viewed on Davidson Day’s Flickr Channel. 

“I thought it was fun coming to school really early so I could sort the cans and help out,” said Mason Lineberger ‘30. Throughout morning carpool, students safely gathered donated items from other Davidson Day families, then organized them into two pallets, which were then weighed (2,620 pounds!) and loaded into a box truck and delivered to Ada Jenkins. 

“It is so great to do this food drive each year,” said Acker.  “We appreciate all of the support from the school, teachers, parents, and students.”