The holiday season isn't all jolly and fun if your cupboards are bare. We recognize that our community is home to many people of all ages that are struggling to make ends meet and that often means; not enough to food to feed the family. As it happens, our preschool is neighbours with the Tri-City Share Food Bank. As with many business and schools, this is a popular time of year to ask for donations to the Food Bank, and Childgarden is no exception. Our generous families have been bringing donations and filling boxes for the Food Bank.
On the morning before our first trip to the food Bank to make a donation, we ask the children, "What do you think the Food Bank is?"
L- "It's for people who don't have any money, are poor and don't have food." (Hmm, I think, there has been discussion about this at home). Another child puts his hand up, "I've heard about it. Like in Australia." I smile and ask, "Do you think it could happen here, in our community?" He ponders for a moment and adds thoughtfully, "I don't know." Then the ideas start coming. V- "My sister has a lot of money." (She's 8). K- "Hey, My Mom went shopping." So I challenge them, "But what if you had no money to go shopping?" L- "We could give them money." E- "When we give money to them, they could buy something with the money." R- "We could give them food." C-"We made Christmas cookies. We could give them Christmas cookies." A- "If you don't have food, go to the Superstore." So I ask, "What if you don't have money? How can you go shopping?" E- "Go to the bank machine." A- "I could give them my money." M- "I have two tomato soup. My Momma needs to buy more chicken soup. Then I could give them some soup."
I think these children are beginning to get it; the idea that not everyone can easily feed their family and go shopping. These children are beginning to see that perhaps they have something that not everyone has. And most importantly, that they have the power to help and make a positive difference in someone's life.
"No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted." Aesop
