Middle school FBLA donates 1,600 items to local food pantry

Schuylerville FBLA students donate 1,671 items to SAFER.
Schuylerville FBLA students donate 1,671 items to SAFER.

Schuylerville Middle School students teamed up to donate more than 1,600 items to the Schuylerville Area Food and Emergency Relief (SAFER) on Friday, Jan. 13. It was all part of the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) club’s annual food drive challenge, which ran the month of December.

This year, students were encouraged to form teams of up to eight friends in grades 6, 7, and 8. The top team, the Corny Kids, which included sixth-graders Lucas Fitzgerald and Bailee Seymour, donated 673 items. The pair donated more items than any team or group in the past four years. They were rewarded with a grand prize basket.

“Students embraced the spirit of giving back to the community in many touching ways this year,” said Heidi Smith, FBLA advisor. “Yes, there was an incentive prize basket for the winning team, but more kids each year are investing in our community.”

Smith said that students used the resources available to them to get the word out about the food drive. Several seventh grade students created flyers to distribute to neighbors and friends asking for donations, while seventh-grader Chloe Bartholomew asked guests attending her birthday party to bring a food donation in lieu of a birthday gift. She was able to donate 122 items.

“This year, more than ever, I’ve seen student after student paying it forward,” Smith said. “The students are committed to helping those who need a helping hand and I feel privileged to be part of their experience.”

On Friday, Jan. 13, representatives from SAFER visited the middle school to collect the donations and say thank you to the students who participated.