Onekawa School students collect food for the vulnerable

After hearing news about job losses because of the pandemic, Onekawa School Assistant Principal Tim Race thought about how children could make a difference. Tim’s class decided to create 500 leaflets to drop in nearby letterboxes, asking residents to leave out a non-perishable food item for the children to collect and take to Napier Food Bank.

“Often children are pushed aside as not being able to do something meaningful and helpful. The truth of the matter is that they are just as connected to their community as anyone else (if we as adults let them!) As a school we have a massive advantage. We can assemble an army of volunteers very quickly and mobilise to make a difference in our community,” says Tim.

“Our community response was incredible. We collected an astonishing quantity of food that will directly help those who are now in even greater need of food after the lockdown.”

“The kids were really responsive to those in need. When as a class we spoke about the wider effect of COVID19 it started to really hit home. For instance, someone getting paid 80% of their wage who also needs a new tyre on their car is suddenly a lot more vulnerable to being short of food,” says Tim.

This project taught Onekawa School’s students to be compassionate and they learnt they can make a difference to their local community.

6 July 2020

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