St. John CES students give back by volunteering at food bank
Feb. 12, 2025
On the first Friday of the month, intermediate students at St. John Catholic Elementary School in Peterborough make a difference by volunteering their time at the Sacred Heart Food Bank.
The food bank receives its monthly delivery from Kawartha Food Share on the same day and after the students arrive, they get right to work sorting and organizing the fresh and non-perishable food items.
Dan Finnegan has led a dedicated team of retiree volunteers, who run the food bank, since 2010.
Finnegan took over the food bank from Vivian and Paul Brioux who started it many years before he joined the ranks.
“The Grade 7 and 8’s do a pile of jobs that support the food bank and make light work of the many things that have to happen behind the scenes at the Sacred Heart Food Bank,” Finnegan said.
“Our kids are amazing and work right in concert with the retiree volunteers who are running the Sacred Heart Food Bank,” said Mark Collins, St. John CES Principal. “It is amazing to be a part of an organization that addresses the needs in our community.”
The students take on a plethora of tasks including:
- Moving items from the trucks
- Stocking frozen items in freezers
- Stocking shelves with non-perishable items
- Sorting fresh fruits and vegetables, separating items into portions
On Friday (Feb. 7, 2025) the students sorted grapes, placed eggs into half cartons, stocked both shelves and freezers, and helped unload a truck full of donations.
These efforts help the food bank get ready to serve families in need.
St. John CES has a legacy of parent and community volunteers who have not only supported both the school’s breakfast program and the food bank, but actually established them and started them for the community.