At Broken Arrow Elementary, a school with a rich history of collecting food for the less fortunate, a remarkable event took place on Monday. The Leisure Park Elementary students stepped up and brought nearly 4,000 canned food items to school, making a significant impact on the Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma. This organized chaos for a worthy cause truly showcases the power of community spirit.

"Uniting Students for a Food-Filled Holiday Season"

History and Tradition

This food drive tradition at Broken Arrow Elementary has been going strong for 43 years. It starts in the classroom and teaches students the importance of giving back to their community. Every year, they read "The Giving Tree," which instills in them the goodness of helping others. Usually, they bring around 2,000 cans, but this year, their donation nearly doubled.The students have been donating to several organizations over the years, showing their commitment to making a difference. This year, they chose to support the Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma, and their efforts have been truly remarkable.

The Impact on Students

Fifth grader and Student Council President Kylee Owens noticed a unique aspect of this drive. There is a friendly Bedlam rivalry between students, which turns into a competition to get more food to those in need. It's not about the teams but about the cause, and it motivates the students to do their best.Principal Janet Dotson emphasized the impact this can have on students. "They learn the power of giving, because it really makes them feel good." As seen on Friday, a student expressed how good it felt when he saw the canned items being carried down the hall. This lesson will stay with them for a lifetime.

Helping Those in Need

The Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma plays a crucial role during this time of the year. It serves the community in need, and this drive helps to meet that demand. Some of the students at Leisure Park Elementary are recipients of the backpack program, which provides meals and snacks for them during weekends, holiday breaks, and summer. By giving back through this drive, they are helping their peers.Jeff Marlow, the President and CEO of the Food Bank, expressed his gratitude. "This time of year is always our biggest time for serving our community in need, but it's also when we need food more than ever." The students' efforts are making a real difference.

The Reward for Students

After all their hard work, the OU team won by a landslide. As a reward, these students will enjoy a pizza party with the principal later this week and ice cream after recess. It's a small token of appreciation for their amazing contribution.If you're in need this holiday season, the Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma has a tool on its website that can direct you to more than 200 pantries across the area. For more details, CLICK HERE.