CHESTERTOWN — Kent School students, families and employees are joining together in an act of community compassion this fall with a schoolwide service learning project benefiting area food pantries and the Kent County Food Pantry’s backpack program.
The project will culminate on World Kindness Day, Thursday, Nov. 13, celebrating the spirit of giving and service to others.
Throughout the food drive, Kent School students have been collecting nonperishable food items to help neighbors facing food insecurity.
Donations will directly support pantries across Kent County as well as the backpack program, which provides weekend meals and snacks to children in need.
“Our students learn every day that kindness starts with small acts that can make a big difference,” said Nancy Mugele, Kent School’s head of school. “World Kindness Day provides the perfect opportunity to put those lessons into action by supporting families in our community,” she added.
On World Kindness Day, the student body will gather to pack food for the backpack program and weigh the total amount of food collected for the pantries.
“The results will provide students with a visual and factual representation of the number of individuals and families they are assisting,” a news release states.
The food drive is part of Kent School’s broader commitment to community engagement and character education, including an Empty Bowls benefit set for 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14. Each student has crafted a ceramic bowl which will be for sale. Proceeds will benefit the Kent County Food Pantry.
Families and community members are invited to participate in the food drive by dropping off nonperishable food donations at Kent School, located at 6788 Wilkins Lane near Chestertown, through Nov. 13 and by attending the Empty Bowls event on Nov. 14.
“By joining together for this cause, we’re not only helping to fill shelves — we’re also spreading kindness that nourishes both body and spirit,” Mugele said in the news release.
For more information about the food drive or to learn how you can help, call Kent School at 410-778-4100 ext. 110 or email info@kentschool.org.
