‘Souper’ Saw Mill students help stock pantry’s shelves

Student council members from Saw Mill Road Elementary School got to see the fruits of their generosity during a visit to the Community Cupboard on Feb. 9. They sorted donations from the North Bellmore School District’s annual Souper Bowl food drive, which took place ahead of the big game.

The drive resulted in the collection of 775 nonperishable items, including canned vegetables, pasta and soup. Students placed their donations in boxes based on the team they expected, or wanted, to win this year’s Super Bowl. Saw Mill Road Assistant Principal Daniel Madden said that the Seattle Seahawks were the overwhelming choice, garnering more donations than the New England Patriots at four of the five elementary schools.

Members of the district’s buildings and grounds staff collected the food on the morning on Feb. 9 and delivered the boxes to the Community Cupboard, a pantry operated by the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District. Soon after the day began, two dozen fourth, fifth and sixth graders from Saw Mill Road got on a bus and made the trip to the Brookside School.

Karin McMahon, one of the founders and coordinators, gave a quick introduction. She explained the mission and purpose of the Community Cupboard, as well as how they help people within Bellmore and Merrick. Then, students were off to work. With Sharpie markers, they labeled all of the items based on expiration dates and placed the cans on the shelves in the proper spots. 

Saw Mill Road’s student council is led by Mr. Madden and teachers Danielle Houghton and Melissa Mignoli. Student leaders promoted the Souper Bowl by making posters and announcements. 

“I feel very grateful that we’re helping families in need,” sixth grade student council member Abdul Hadi Ahmad said, adding that the large amount of donations shows how much the North Bellmore community cares about others. 

 

Photo captions:

1: Karin McMahon, a coordinator for the Bellmore-Merrick Community Cupboard, talked to Saw Mill Road Elementary School student council members about its mission when they visited on Feb. 9 to sort the North Bellmore School District’s Souper Bowl donations.

2: Saw Mill Road Elementary School student council members, from left, Nicole Boxer, Grace Napolitano and Kaylen Lin checked expiration dates on the items.

3: Abdul Hadi Ahmad, left, Benny Douglas, center, and Marcello Nocero were excited to give back to their community.

4: Students from grades 4-6 helped stock the shelves of the Community Cupboard at the Brookside School.

 

Photos courtesy of the North Bellmore School District