Through bake sales, The Spence School's Grade 4 class raised $2,813 to help New York Common Pantry buy new kitchen equipment.

 

Earlier this month, the class went to NYCP to present the check and to meet Neill Bogan, NYCP’s Senior Director of Development and Communications. Director of Outreach and Public Purpose Danielle Passno said Bogan talked with students about the significant impact the check would have on the pantry's clients.

 

“He was completely blown away,” Passno said. “They were not expecting the check to be for the amount it was.”

 

Passno explained that, by Grade 4, students have been volunteering for NYCP for five years. The Grade 4 faculty members have also been active in volunteering with NYCP, serving dinner to clients. It was Grade 4 teacher Lea Abrams who discovered that NYCP was in need of new kitchen equipment after talking with the chef, and when the students heard about it, they wanted to help, Passno said.

 

“The trip was full of excitement because the students had worked for so long on this project,” Passno said. “They were really eager to let NYCP know how much money they had raised. They felt really proud.”

 

This project will be used as a model for other Lower School grades.

 

“There’s been enthusiasm to replicate work like this,” Passno said. “We plan to do it next school year.”