Students In Grades 6–8 Serve In The CROS Ministries Gleaning Program

In the last few weeks, our students in Grades 6–8 partnered with the CROS Ministries Gleaning Program for their service project day. They helped to carry out their “food recovery strategy that allows produce that is below top-market grade or unmarketable, but equally nutritious and beneficial, to be harvested and distributed to the food insecure of Palm Beach and Martin Counties instead of being plowed back into the soil.” Farmers donate the excess produce that they cannot sell to CROS Ministries then volunteers are mobilized to harvest the produce. Our students spent several hours in local fields harvesting bell peppers that will be given to local food banks that distribute the recovered produce to local agencies with feeding programs for individuals and families with low incomes, seniors, people with disabilities, and the homeless. The food is given away free of charge. We are so encouraged to see our students impacting our local community to serve the needs of others! This year, our service project days for Grades 6–12 have highlighted aspects of a “Portrait of a Graduate,” such as community builders and compassionate contributors.