Students ‘can’ get creative in collection
Primary school students used their problem-solving skills to make 350 cans of baked beans, beetroot and peaches look like their school bell.
Fitzroy Primary School had just five days to donate hundreds of canned goods as part of a national collection campaign, but teacher Carissa Lamb said the students’ effort was quite impressive.
‘‘Last year they had a longer timeframe,’’ she said.
‘‘It was a bit awkward with school holidays but they did very well in collecting a big mixture of food.’’
Last year the school was the only New Plymouth participant, Lamb said, but this year three more had joined the drive.
And by sharing this moment with the community, Lamb hoped the number of participating schools would only grow.
The Wattie’s Cans for Good event, which ran from October 30 to November 3, had more than 200 schools throughout New Zealand collect canned goods on behalf of Salvation Army food banks.
The event was launched last year to help bulk up supplies in the lead up to Christmas, Salvation Army head of social service Pam Waugh said.
‘‘We’re seeing a number of food banks throughout the country stretched to meet the demand from people requiring food parcels,’’ she said. Waugh said Christmas was an ‘‘extremely difficult time for many families’’ and food donations could make a real difference to those who need it most.
The event also doubles as a creative competition designed to engage school children and teachers in a team-based learning experience, she said.
Lamb said she let the Fitzroy students take the reigns in their can collection creation.
‘‘They took the shape of our school bell and set it all up their selves,’’ she said.
‘‘Some of the kids stood on the balcony to check the shape was right.
‘‘It was really cool to see them all problem-solving.’’