By Brandon Seng
ConnectMichigan Alliance

Thanksgiving will be brighter for many in the greater Detroit area due to the graceful giving by motivated elementary school students.  The many small hands at Romulus Elementary collectively gathered well over 1000 food items in a drive to provide Thanksgiving fare for those in need.  The children all pitched in, and when their drive was over Romulus students had carried in a 989 pound gift for Gleaner’s Community Food Bank in Detroit.

Romulus students have been actively involved in the League Powered by Learning to Give for the last 7 years.  The overwhelming generosity shown by Romulus students may come as a surprise to some.  The school has been labeled one of “high poverty,” with 67 percent of the school’s 400 students receiving free lunch.  These children, however, continue to inspire and impress as their time and talent touch the lives of those in need.

Their generosity was proven again through the month of November, when students decided to collect canned food for the Gleaner’s Community Food Bank.  Mr. Caster, of Gleaner’s Detroit office, spoke to students at an assembly following their drive.  Students learned about how their donation would be sorted and delivered to needy families in the greater Detroit area.  League captains Brianna Brock, Lyric Keeton, Morgan Anderson and Deshaun Keys then reported the collected amounts for each individual class.

The grand total of the collection by Romulus Elementary was announced by Principal Marjie McAnally.  Students were praised for their hard work, and the winning class was rewarded with a pizza party following the event.  Under the direction of League coach Mrs. Shawn Dickson, Romulus Elementary canned up a positive service-learning experience for their students and community.