Contribute Cans to a Lower and Intermediate School Service Project

Lower and Intermediate School students are collecting aluminum cans in a service project to benefit the Pilsen Food Pantry.

During the first semester, students learned about the democratic process in a range of developmentally appropriate ways. Students in 3rd through 5th grades used a quiz-show format to share their knowledge of how we elect our government at local, state and national levels. They then engaged in the election process by voting for their preference of the spring community service project’s focus. The JK through 2nd grade students read the book I Voted to learn more about the process and also engaged in voting for their own preference of the project’s focus—environment, community or education. Five out of six grades voted for the environment, and one voted for community. 

In an effort to connect the disparate work of these grades and have students engage in a common project for the entire spring semester, teachers have organized a community service project with the Pilsen Food Pantry, which has a mission to bring anti-poverty services to communities in need. 

When announcing this project to their students, teachers shared that $8 supports one Pilsen Food Pantry visit that distributes more than 60 pounds of food to a family. Students also learned about an annual aluminum can drive that raises 70 cents for the Pantry for every pound of crushed aluminum cans they collect and recycle.

Students realized that recycling could be a simple, powerful way to support the Pilsen Food Pantry and care for our planet and decided to contribute their efforts to the organization’s annual aluminum can drive. By running an aluminum recycling program at Parker, students can take ownership of the service, reduce the amount of aluminum cans that end up in landfills and help a local food pantry support members of the Chicago community. 

All Lower and Intermediate School classes are working together to collect aluminum cans from the cafeteria and home beginning Monday, February 9 until Monday, May 4. Students, parents and guardians from all grade levels are welcome to contribute via collection bins at both security checkpoints.

Thanks in advance for helping Parker’s youngest students make a difference for those served by the Pilsen Food Pantry.