Boxes of food wallpaper the door to two kindergarten classes at Vienna Elementary School on Thursday as part of the school’s second annual “Block the Door” Food Drive. The school hopes to donate more than 1,400 pounds of food to the Good Samaritan Food Pantry at Wayside United Methodist Church. (Photo Provided)
VIENNA — Vienna Elementary School held its second-annual “Block the Door” Food Drive on Thursday, gathering an estimated 1,400 pounds of food items for the Good Samaritan Food Pantry.
The challenge is for each classroom, pre-kindergarten through fifth-grade, to donate enough food to completely block their classroom door. Students brought in donations throughout the week, then on Thursday set out to block their classroom doors.
“All 14 classrooms successfully blocked their classroom doors,” said event organizer Shannon Williams. “All of the food goes to the Good Samaritan Food Pantry at Wayside United Methodist Church to help our community and give to those who need food, especially during the Thanksgiving and Christmas season.
“Our students learn about giving back to the community and can feel pride in themselves knowing that they have done their part to help those in need.”
Last year, Vienna Elementary donated 1,380 pounds of food during the first Block the Door food drive. This year’s goal was to exceed 1,400 pounds. The school is still waiting for the official total weight from the Good Samaritan Center, but officials believe students surpassed their goal.
The school boxed up more than 50 large boxes of canned and boxed goods, which did not include the many bags of food plus the food in other containers.
“Vienna Viking students, parents, and staff members should be proud of the difference they will make in many lives within our community this holiday season,” Williams said
