More than 750 boxes of cereal are headed to local families in need after Grade 1 students from Duclos Elementary School wrapped up another successful cereal drive for the Bonnyville Friendship Centre.

The students delivered the cereal this week while visiting the Friendship Centre to learn more about the local food bank and the impact community donations can have.

Food Bank Coordinator and Program Assistant Sarah said the support from the school means a great deal to the Friendship Centre.

“They collected, I think it was over 760 boxes of cereal for us,” she said. “They had a little dominoes display around the school. It was really awesome to go see that.”

Sarah explained that last year’s cereal drive helped stock the shelves for nearly an entire year.

“We didn’t run out of cereal until like last year because of the 750,” she said. “So that was really, really awesome. We really appreciate it.”

Teaching Community and Kindness

Grade 1 teachers Mrs. Kathy Gibbons and Mrs. Jordan Piche said the cereal drive started about a month ago when the school challenged students and families to bring in cereal boxes for the food bank.

“This is our second year doing it though,” said Gibbons.

The teachers said the initiative is about much more than collecting food.

“Well, they learned to help the community, kindness, teamwork,” said Gibbons.

When asked what it means to support the local food bank, Gibbons added:

“It teaches them teamwork, the community and how to take care of everyone. That’s what we stand for at Duclos.”

Piche summed it up simply with the school’s message:

“Be a buddy.”

Friendship Centre Support Continues Year-Round

Sarah, who has worked at the Friendship Centre for nearly two years, said her role includes helping with the food bank, youth programming, adult programming and shelters.

She said one of the best parts of working at the Friendship Centre is the atmosphere among staff.

“Honestly, I really, really love my coworkers,” she said. “We all get along really well.”

The Friendship Centre continues to accept donations throughout the year. Staff say monetary donations are often the most effective because they allow the food bank to purchase items based on current needs.