Giving

I have continued my alternate giving plan since my last update. I have donated to Publix grocery stores for their food drive campaign. I have given a huge bag of supplies to the Boy Scouts of America's local food drive. I have urged my students (through the "gift" of extra credit) to donate bags of groceries to The Children's Home Society food drive being held at the school and the list goes on and on.

The school food drive was going poorly. Blame it on poor advertising, blame it on hard economic times, blame it on ignorance, blame it on apathy, whatever you like but, I was determined to fix the problem. When I spoke with the head of the food drive he had collected just four bags of groceries in two weeks. I offered 10 points towards the lowest test score of the quarter and wouldn't you know the food came piling in. I had 43 students participate in the food drive bringing in over 65 bags of groceries. The gratitude I received from the director was incredible. He was so happy that he wouldn't have to disappoint the Children's Home Society. It cost me nothing (other than the full bag of quality food I purchased to show as an example) to help fill a food pantry. I often wonder how much more the school could have collected if other teachers were willing to offer a few points to a group of kids. Perhaps there can be some sort of competition next year to get a higher rate of participation. I will speak with the director and find out.

What have you done to give this month? Are you thankful for what you have? Truly?