Greene Street Students Give Thanks

Greene Street Friends School’s fifth grade led a school-wide Thanksgiving can drive and collected 500 canned goods for the nearby St. Vincent’s Soup Kitchen. For many years the School's can drive was led by third grade teacher Kia-Dawn Davenport who retired last year. Fifth grade teacher Beth Duffy thought it important to continue the tradition of community service, especially in such a time of need. “Around this time of year, kids often start thinking about things they want,” Duffy said. “It’s important to help kids realize how much they already have.”

Classes throughout the school collected cans in their classrooms and then the fifth graders gathered and counted them in preparation for transport to St. Vincent’s. Fifth grader Jasmin B. liked helping, “I learned that helping other people is kind of fun. We got to load all the cases into the car, walk them over and unload them.” Parent Stacey Ferraro drove the cans over while the students walked. At St. Vincent’s, the class loaded the cans onto trolleys and rolled them into the soup kitchen. The cans were immediately put to use in Thanksgiving dinner bags to help families in need and the timing could not have been better because the staff had just run out of cans.

Student Elogio A. noted “I learned that there are much less fortunate people than us, so we should be grateful for what we have.” Classmate Emma D. added, “Lots of people and their families go to St. Vincent’s and I’m happy that they have something to eat.”