FERGUS – Students at J.D. Hogarth Public School in Fergus have exceeded their own expectations, surpassing a goal for food bank donations this holiday season.
Teacher and food drive organizer Jim Newton said the school has been holding a Christmas fundraiser for several years now.
“In the past, we’ve set a goal of 1,500 (items) but this year with the pandemic and such we decided we would increase the goal, so we set it at 3,000,” Newton explained.
“At the start I wasn’t sure if we’d actually get 3,000 (donations) but kids really got on board, and teachers, and now we’re at 3,500.”
The annual food drive began Dec. 1 and wrapped up Dec. 15. All donations go to the Centre Wellington Food Bank.
J.D. Hogarth Public School teacher and food drive organizer Jim Newton, left, works alongside Grade 7 and 8 students to help organize the donations in anticipation for the delivery. Photo by Paige Peacock
As of the morning of Dec. 15, the school had received over 3,500 donations, but Newton said organizers expected to get a couple hundred more items by the end of the day.
He noted they’ve surpassed their goal in the past, but not to this extent.
“All the staff and students have gotten really into it and so that’s why we have that many items out there,” he explained, gesturing to tables overflowing with donations.
“I think a lot of people just realized that there’s lots of people in the community that are in need,” Newton said of the positive response.
“Especially at Christmas time, hopefully people are in the giving spirit, and it feels good to put a smile on somebody’s face, so everybody’s come together as a team and it’s really turned into a great success.”
Newton said students were very enthusiastic during the fundraiser. To spread the word, they would do two announcements per day before going around to collect all the items.
The Fergus school collected over 3,500 food donations as of the morning of Dec. 15. Photo by Paige Peacock
“It feels awesome,” Newton said of surpassing the school’s goal. “The kids are really excited about it and it’s also good that the food’s all in the foyer here so then they can go by and see the piles grow bigger and bigger.
“So I think the kids are really excited to accomplish their goal.”
Being a part of a larger community, Newton said it’s important students get involved in initiatives like this one, adding the school aspires to do a lot in terms of community outreach.
“Every little bit counts,” he explained. “Sometimes people aren’t sure whether or not their actions result in positive impact and the visual nature of it makes it very real for the kids. And it’s great to show that the school is a part of the community – and a positive part.”
