How a School Competition Transformed Lives

How the Competition Began

In Tulsa, a spirit of friendly competition took root at Riverfield Country Day School. Students were eager to showcase their generosity by collecting non-perishable, kid-friendly food for the food pantry at Eugene Field Elementary. As Holden Williams, a senior at Riverfield, shared, "We have over ten thousand individual items that we donated this year." This initiative sparked a wave of giving that would have a lasting impact.

The competition was intense, with each grade vying to collect the most food. It was a testament to the students' compassion and willingness to help their peers. Over the course of about two weeks, the donations kept pouring in, filling up a school bus and two trucks.

The Arrival and Its Significance

The arrival of the donated food was a moment of great joy and relief. It arrived just in time to stock the nearly empty shelves of Eugene Field's school food pantry. Christy Gilliam with Eugene Field Elementary expressed her gratitude, saying, "There's some food insecurity with some of our kids. We are so thankful. It's amazing what they have brought today. We're winded from unloading."

This influx of food will provide much-needed support to struggling families throughout the school year. During long breaks when family food budgets might be tight and kids don't have access to school breakfast and lunch, this donation will make a world of difference.

The Evolution of the Food Drive

In recent years, this food drive evolved from a long-running book drive. Riverfield students had previously donated books to their peers at Eugene Field. However, one day, the principals realized that a food drive could be just as important and helpful. It became a way to address the immediate need for food while also teaching the students valuable life skills.

Another special aspect of this food drive is that all the items require no or minimal preparation by kids. This allows them to fix themselves a healthy meal even if their parents are away at work. It's a practical and empowering initiative that goes beyond just providing food.