Hopkins students learn about giving during weeklong drive
March 16, 2017
Students at Ellen Hopkins Elementary School learned about homelessness, poverty and giving during the Hopkins Giving Hearts Week in February.
Students collected enough items such as laundry baskets, soap, paper products, towels and kitchen supplies to make 34 move-in baskets for families leaving Churches United to homes. They also gathered almost 500 diapers, two boxes of children’s books, boxes of shoes and clothes, and two boxes of birthday party supplies.
The school-wide drive for supplies provided opportunities for classroom discussions about homelessness and poverty. Move-in baskets were assembled by Ellen Hopkins families, teachers, PTAC and MSUM students on Feb. 13.
Additionally, the grade 5 leadership team led by counselor William Franklin engaged in a service-learning project to help those in need. Students worked at the Great Plains Food Bank, delivered Valentine’s made by Hopkins students to the Moorhead Police Department, and delivered the 34 move-in basket and other supplies to Churches United for the Homeless.
At Great Plains Food Bank, students saw how much food is collected for redistribution throughout the community. They spent part of the morning labeling 2,520 bags of tortilla chips.
“Service-learning goes beyond service,” said Kris Thompson, service-learning and youth services coordinator for Moorhead Community Education, a program of Moorhead Area Public Schools. “To deepen their learning, these student leaders will reflect on their experiences.”
Students were told their contribution to Churches United for the Homeless would make a huge difference to families, she said. They will talk about how families are impacted through their donation. To demonstrate their new understanding, students will go into classrooms to share with their peers what they learned.
Photo 1: Volunteers make homemade laundry detergent during the Giving Hearts community event at Ellen Hopkins Elementary last month.
Photo 2:
Supplies collected by students and staff at Ellen Hopkins Elementary are used by volunteers to fill move-in baskets to give to families at Churches United for the Homeless.
Photo 3: Ellen Hopkins Elementary leadership team members prepare food for distribution at Great Plains Food Bank, and later they delivered move-in baskets and other supplies to Churches United for the Homeless.
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