Kindness abounds
Elementary schools team up to give back to those less fortunate in Windsor
The Matthew 25 Windsor and District Food Bank has a little more food on their shelves and some money in the coffer thanks to Windsor Forks Elementary School and the surrounding community.
Kathy Freeman-Hatcher, an education assistant with the school, organized a food drive, where staff from three schools gathered non-perishable items.
She estimates that, since the summer, they’ve been gathering approximately 300 items each month — entirely from school staff.
“It’s not only important this time of year, but really all times of the year,” Freeman-Hatcher said.
Staff from Windsor Forks Elementary, Dr. Arthur Hines Elementary and Three Mile Plains gather the donations collectively each month.
Donations of personal hygiene products were also accepted as well as food.
“Someone in my family had to use a food bank a while back and it’s just something I’ve always wanted to support, (to) give back,” she said.
The school also donated funds raised by area families during their annual Christmas concert on Dec. 7.
Shelley King, principal at Windsor Forks Elementary, said they managed to raise $162.
“These donations came from our parents and family member guests, so a huge thank you to them,” King said. “And the food items are from our staff every month, so it’s a huge help for the food bank.”
All funds and food items go to the Matthew 25 Windsor and District Food Bank, which serves the town and surrounding communities. From left Gabby Rolfe, 9, Olivia Pollart, 10, Windsor Forks Elementary School principal Shelley King, educational assistant Kathy Freeman-Hatcher, Tyler Salsman, 9 and Brooke Lunn, 10, stand in front of the school’s Kindness Tree with a cheque and food items slated for the Matthew 25 Windsor and District Food Bank in Windsor.