Second-graders in Annette Driggers’, Sarah Blankenship’s, Summer Chance’s, Carolyn Parker’s and Molly Wright’s classes at Horizon Elementary School show their tallies for food that they collected for the Downtown Rescue Mission. (CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – The kindness of second-graders at Horizon Elementary School will help fill plates for people at the Downtown Rescue Mission in Huntsville.

“We collected 657 cans of food — not bad for around 80 children in second grade,” second-grade teacher Annette Driggers said. “Last year, the second-grade teachers thought it was important for children to begin learning to ‘give back’ to their community.”

“We have so much to be thankful for and wanted the children to understand that not everybody has that type of life,” Driggers said. “We are ‘planting seeds.’ You never know when you might need some help.”

Driggers chose the mission because she personally knows the founding family and their amazing work. “This Christian family is devoted to helping others,” she said.

Teachers also incorporated math principles into the project. Students “looked at the amount of cans that other classes brought and added/subtracted at how they would surpass them,” Driggers said. During packing for pickup, they totaled each box with cans.

Two mission employees picked up the food on Nov. 21. Excited while watching the loading, students “knew the cans were going somewhere to help others. The two men (from the mission) were so friendly … and thanked the kids multiple times,” Driggers said.

Driggers’ family has volunteered often there. At an age-appropriate level, she explained to her class about the mission’s work, who goes there and why and the importance of others to help.

Second-grader Adeline Miller said “it made me happy to collect cans for the mission. They will have something to eat for Thanksgiving.” Landon Pierce “liked collecting the food because it will help people live and be happy.”

“Some people don’t have all the stuff that we have and I want to help them,” Jack Shaw said. “It makes me feel happy inside to help people,” Faith McCaig said.

“I’m so proud of the children,” Driggers said. “I hope they’ll tuck this experience away in their hearts and mind and be willing to help when there is a need.”