With the help of a high-production-value video and a catchy song, one third-grade classroom at Western Avenue Elementary in Flossmoor has successfully concluded a canned food drive the students planned and executed as a team.

The third-grade class, under the guidance of their teacher, Sierra Samuels, collected more than 1,400 non-perishable items for the Grace Missionary Baptist Church food pantry in Markham. This initiative, now in its second year, has not only provided much-needed food to the community but also instilled valuable lessons among young participants.

The idea for the canned food drive originated last year when Samuels’ class discussed food waste and global hunger. This year, the 21 third graders took full ownership of the project. Their teacher said they handled every aspect, from collecting cans in designated classrooms and counting donations weekly to creating posters and even writing and recording an original song and music video to encourage participation.

Samuels said the class wrote the song to the tune of “Rock That Body” by the Black Eyed Peas. “We just sat together as a whole class on the floor and spit out lyrics until it flowed and it made sense,” she said. “And they are still singing it every day.”

The students spread the word about the project to involve the rest of their school and community. Classrooms at Western Avenue collected cans that Samuels’ students would pick up every day. The classrooms that collected the most donations won prizes.

Samuel emphasized the importance of allowing the students to drive the project.

“The best thing that I could have done for myself and for the students is allowing them to make these options and make these choices,” she said. The students even chose the prizes for the top three donating classes: pajamas, popcorn, and a movie for first place; popcorn and pajamas for second; and either popcorn or pajamas for third.

Samuels said many of the third graders had never experienced food insecurity or even heard of a canned food drive, and the project helped them understand the challenges faced by others in their community. 

“Empathy is a big part of it,” Samuels said. “I want them to learn the social skills it takes. They had to go out and ask their family members and neighbors, like, ‘Would you be willing to donate? Do you have anything that you can provide us to bring to school?’ And obviously it’s been working. So I want them to take that experience firsthand and just see all the kindness and things that they can work on within their community.”

For Samuels, who is in her third year of teaching, this type of service runs in the family.  “I got into teaching because my mom was also a teacher,” she said.

Kaci Bansa, a parent of one of the third-grade music video stars and co-owner of Tru2Life Media, said that she and her husband were happy to help create the music video. They volunteered their expertise and equipment to make sure the video stood out. 

The video, viewable on YouTube, features Samuels’ students singing and dancing to the song they wrote, with some cameos from other staff members. 

Bansa lauded Samuels’ enthusiasm and willingness to go “the extra mile” to teach her students about social awareness beyond the standard curriculum.

Bansa’s son, Kwesi, was heavily involved in the project and featured in the music video. She said he remained highly motivated throughout the drive. He enthusiastically encouraged his assigned class to contribute and then shared in the excitement when their donations came in.

Samuels said the canned food drive will continue next year, with plans to maintain the partnership with Grace Missionary Baptist Church. While this year’s food drive is coming to an end, community members can still drop off canned goods at Western Avenue Elementary School. Samuels said she will ensure they reach the people who need them.