John Gregg Elementary School students are dressing up and raising money to fill needy families’ cupboards.

   The school PTO is hosting its annual canned food drive from Nov. 8-12 and giving students a fun way to help others. In the past, children brought in food items from home to benefit local food pantries, but COVID prompted organizers to find an alternative plan to complete the service project. Principal Tammy Burchfield said an idea was implemented last year that allowed students to dress up for different themes.

   “We used to have families donate food, but they couldn’t do it last year because of COVID,” Burchfield added. “We did a theme week and kids donated at least $1 per day to dress up. They took the money and purchased the food, and the pantry said it was wonderful because they could fill the shelves with the items they needed.”

   She said the idea was very well received by the students.

   “The kids absolutely loved these dress-up days,” Burchfield noted.

   Students will contribute money each day to don sleepwear on Monday, crazy socks on Tuesday, hats on Wednesday, crazy hair on Thursday and Wildcat attire to show school pride on Friday. Proceeds will go to the WEBA Outreach Pantry in Amsterdam, Church of the Cross in East Springfield and Trinity United Presbyterian Church in Bergholz.