NewsStudent LifePre-K to 8ServiceAcademics
Turkey helpers help the homeless
Dec 2, 2008 12:00 AM
By Tannika King - Faculty
Written by Elizabeth Cady, Rome News-Tribune education reporter, published 11/25/08
Eating a big meal with family is the reason for the season for many who celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas — but some local students know giving drives the holidays.
A class of pre-schoolers at Darlington's Lower School cook a meal once a month for the William S. Davies Homeless Shelter in Rome. This shelter provides a temporary home to 15 homeless men and 13 homeless women.
“I think you can’t start early enough to teach kids to give back and do something for someone else. Once a month, on the second Thursday, we make dinner for the shelter,” said Beth Smith who teaches the class. “We’ve been doing it since the shelter opened. It makes you feel good and fuzzy.”
The 10 students who make up Smith’s class each bring in food for the meal. For November, the class put together a Thanksgiving inspired dinner for the shelter.
“It’s for people that don’t have any money or food … for the homeless,” explained 5-year-old Sarah Frances Tunnell. “I think that will make them feel good.”
The menu included a cheesy chicken and rice casserole, a green bean casserole, a Waldorf salad and for dessert — a cake.
“We’re cooking a salad!” exclaimed Ellie Allen, 4, who couldn’t wait for her turn to stir up the ingredients.
Four-year-old Noah Kinney was most excited about his turn to mix the cake batter. “It smells so good!” said Kinney, hungrily sniffing the air.
While each student was intrigued by the food they were cooking, each was equally adamant about not eating any of it themselves.
“We’re cooking for the homeless shelter,” said Morgan Finley, 4.
“Because they don’t have any house or food,” added 4-year-old Evie Shadday.
Executive director of the Davies shelter, Allison Mitchell, said volunteers, businesses and churches filled up the “food calendar.” She said Darlington's Lower School is the only local school that regularly donates food dishes.
“It’s exposing them to something they aren’t normally exposed to, and it’s great for us,” said Mitchell.
During February each year, the class visits the Davies shelter. They donate little items to each one of the residents as well as cook a meal.
“On Valentine’s Day we visit the shelter and give care packages, so the students know where the meals go to,” said Smith.
Eating a big meal with family is the reason for the season for many who celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas — but some local students know giving drives the holidays.
A class of pre-schoolers at Darlington's Lower School cook a meal once a month for the William S. Davies Homeless Shelter in Rome. This shelter provides a temporary home to 15 homeless men and 13 homeless women.
“I think you can’t start early enough to teach kids to give back and do something for someone else. Once a month, on the second Thursday, we make dinner for the shelter,” said Beth Smith who teaches the class. “We’ve been doing it since the shelter opened. It makes you feel good and fuzzy.”
The 10 students who make up Smith’s class each bring in food for the meal. For November, the class put together a Thanksgiving inspired dinner for the shelter.
“It’s for people that don’t have any money or food … for the homeless,” explained 5-year-old Sarah Frances Tunnell. “I think that will make them feel good.”
The menu included a cheesy chicken and rice casserole, a green bean casserole, a Waldorf salad and for dessert — a cake.
“We’re cooking a salad!” exclaimed Ellie Allen, 4, who couldn’t wait for her turn to stir up the ingredients.
Four-year-old Noah Kinney was most excited about his turn to mix the cake batter. “It smells so good!” said Kinney, hungrily sniffing the air.
While each student was intrigued by the food they were cooking, each was equally adamant about not eating any of it themselves.
“We’re cooking for the homeless shelter,” said Morgan Finley, 4.
“Because they don’t have any house or food,” added 4-year-old Evie Shadday.
Executive director of the Davies shelter, Allison Mitchell, said volunteers, businesses and churches filled up the “food calendar.” She said Darlington's Lower School is the only local school that regularly donates food dishes.
“It’s exposing them to something they aren’t normally exposed to, and it’s great for us,” said Mitchell.
During February each year, the class visits the Davies shelter. They donate little items to each one of the residents as well as cook a meal.
“On Valentine’s Day we visit the shelter and give care packages, so the students know where the meals go to,” said Smith.
