Kindergartners Donate 100 Things to Catholic Charities Food Shelf

February 24, 2023

This week, kindergartners from St. Cloud Christian School visited Catholic Charities Emergency Services Food Shelf after completing their 100 Items of Food Challenge, benefiting our food shelf and the people we serve. 


On the 100th day of school, they brought 135 food items as a donation to our food shelf, learned more about our program and toured our facility—they even had a chance to go inside our new walk-in freezer! 


Having started their 100 Things project around the Thanksgiving holiday in November, Marissa Peel, St. Cloud Christian School kindergarten teacher, said, “The children learned how some families don’t have as many blessings as we do, and we should be thankful for all that we have.” 


“These students learned several important lessons with their 100 Things project,” said Eric Vollen, Emergency Services Program Manager. “They learned to count past 100 in both English and Spanish, and as a SuperShelf-certified food shelf, how we work to provide a welcoming and respectful environment with access to healthy food.”


We are thankful for the 112 pounds of food donated by these young learners. Learn more about Catholic Charities Food Shelf here. 

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On Tuesday, January 28th, a group of students from Trex North School visited Pond View Estates in Albany, organized by Sandy Baldwin, group leader, and in collaboration with Catholic Charities in St. Cloud. Julie Ueland, the student advisor, helped oversee the project to ensure everything went smoothly. Pond View Estates is a Senior Dining Congregate Kitchen, where seniors gather to enjoy meals and socialize, making it a perfect environment for these students to connect with the residents. When the students arrived, the residents were delighted by the youthful energy and enthusiasm they brought. The students quickly got to work helping the seniors create Valentine’s cards before lunch. The atmosphere was filled with creativity and laughter as everyone worked together to make colorful and thoughtful cards. Afterward, the group enjoyed lunch together, where the dining hall was full of lively conversation. The students interacted with the seniors, hearing their stories and building new connections. The visit bridged generations, fostering meaningful and joyful interactions. The highlight of the day was the bingo game that followed lunch, where excitement filled the room as the numbers were called. Friendly competition brought plenty of laughs, especially when someone was just one number away from winning, only for another participant to grab the prize first. The fun, camaraderie, and shared moments left everyone smiling. A few standout interactions included Joseph and Riley spending time with resident Victor Tschida, and Tianna sharing a special moment with resident Ken Bunger. These connections highlighted the deep impact of intergenerational friendships. For many of the residents, the visit from the students was an unexpected but cherished experience, reminding everyone of the importance of making time for one another. It was a beautiful day of fostering community, connection, and kindness. As the students prepared to leave, there was a sense of fulfillment in the air. Not only had the day brightened the seniors' lives, but it also left a lasting impression on the students, who gained a deeper understanding of the joy and fulfillment that comes from spending quality time with others. The day ended with smiles, hugs, and promises to return, a reminder of how powerful and meaningful human connection can be.

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By Brittany Hoversten • March 5, 2025
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