The people were little, but the donations were big.
Seventy-five youngsters from six preschools collected 1,249 pounds of food that they donated Thursday to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest North Carolina, said Karen Chandler, manager of special events and social media for the food bank.
"I'm here to load the truck and collect food for people who don't have any food," 5-year-old Micah Draper said as students from some of the schools waited at Grace House Preschool on Hopkins Road.
His mother, Sarah Draper, volunteered her morning.
"It's important for him to understand that we are very blessed. Not every child has everything he or she needs. The more activities he does, the more he'll understand the importance of helping others," said Draper.
Last year, Carla Collins, director of Grace Presbyterian's Grace House Preschool, wanted her youngsters to experience giving to others. She and her staff created the P.U.S.H. (Preschoolers Uniting to Stop Hunger) Food Drive and raised more than 1,000 pounds for Second Harvest.
The goal was to collect even more this year, and the drive succeeded. Participating preschools were from Glenn View Baptist, Fountain of Life, Holy Cross Catholic, Kernersville Moravian, Shady Grove Wesleyan and Grace House.
Although the day was gloomy and the truck to pick up the food was delayed, the students kept busy singing songs and enjoying a snack of orange slices, pretzels and scalloped butter cookies.
As the children prepared to greet the truck, they were instructed to grab a can or a box and help load their goods in an orderly fashion. The hands-on delivery helped cement the lesson, teachers explained to the adults gathered.
"Why are we putting the food in the van?" Terri Frappier, from the Holy Cross Catholic Church Child Development Center, asked the children.
"To give it to the hungry children," preschooler Ethan Shearer answered.
Chandler of Second Harvest said the PUSH donations will create more than 8,000 meals.
Kernersville Mayor Dawn Morgan, who attended to show her support for the program, said, "It's just heart-warming to see the preschool community come together and fight hunger. The love and enthusiasm that the students are showing has set a wonderful example for us all."
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