Students, Staff In West Orange Schools Hold Donation Drives For Holidays

WEST ORANGE, NJ — Students and staff in West Orange have been sharing some holiday season compassion by holding food and coat drives.

HOLIDAY FOOD DRIVE

Students and staff at St. Cloud Elementary School recently came together for a Thanksgiving food drive, collecting 2,230 non-perishable food items

A district spokesperson offered the following recap of the food drive:

“Displaying the power of community, kindness, and teamwork, classrooms eagerly watched the daily tracker to see which grade was leading in donations. Each day, classrooms eagerly watched the daily tracker to see which grade level was leading in donations. This friendly competition helped fuel excitement and motivated students to bring in even more contributions. The enthusiasm was so strong that over 800 items were collected in a single day, a remarkable achievement that showcased the generosity of St. Cloud families.

“Throughout the week, teachers encouraged students to reflect on the spirit of giving—especially during the Thanksgiving season. Students discussed what it means to help others and learned that their efforts directly support the 1 in 8 New Jersey students who may face food insecurity. In Essex County, up to 25 percent of students experience hunger insecurity. By participating, they weren’t just tallying numbers; they were making a real difference in the lives of children and families within their own community. Donations were delivered to the New Jersey Food Bank and Care of Hope Food Bank.

“St. Cloud Elementary’s food drive was more than a collection of items—it was a lesson in compassion, gratitude, and the impact of collective action. The school community can take great pride in the kindness and leadership shown throughout the week.”

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COAT DRIVE

Meanwhile, faculty and staff at Washington Elementary School recently collected coats, gloves, hats and scarves for students at the Title I school.

Hundreds of items were collected and were distributed on Dec. 3 – just as temperatures dipped down.

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