The Elisabeth Morrow School is incredibly proud and inspired to announce a powerful, student-led Thanksgiving Food Drive dedicated to supporting the Englewood Center for Food Action (CFA) in its crucial efforts to provide meals for individuals experiencing food insecurity in our local area.
Student Initiative: Responding to a State of Emergency
This project is spearheaded by the Morrow House (grades 5–8) Student Council’s Community Service Committee, led by Nicholas C. ’27 and Hunter T. ’26, and supported by our fourth-grade Leadership Symposium class.
Our students were moved to act after learning about the critical situation in New Jersey, where the governor recently declared a state of emergency due to the high levels of food scarcity. Guided by our core values (the 4 C’s), our student body is mobilizing efforts to support our local community during this urgent time.
As one of the leaders of the Morrow House Student Council’s Community Service Committee shared with his peers during a morning assembly:
“Thanksgiving is all about giving back, so let’s give back together. There are thousands of people in Bergen County alone who are in need of food.” — Nicholas C. ’27
Students Driving Planning, Logistics, and Impact
The students are taking the lead on every aspect of this initiative — from planning and logistics through to impact measurement — truly driving the success of this important mission.
- Morrow House Leaders: These students are focusing on planning efficient collection strategies, tracking donations, and organizing the safe transport of food to the CFA.
- Fourth-Grade Leaders: As leaders of their division, they are working to motivate and rally the school community to contribute. Their efforts include presenting at the Little School assembly, visiting Chilton House and Little School classrooms, and using Canva to create inspiring posters to spread the word.
“While Ms. Chittenden, Ms. Hennessy, Ms. Zlotolow, Mrs. Beck, and I are involved with the project in an advisory capacity, the students are taking the lead, and we are immensely proud to support them in tackling this critical, real-world issue, ” says Head of School Marek Beck, Ph.D.
Urgent Call to Action: How to Donate
We need the entire community’s support to help our students collect the food and deliver it to the CFA before the Thanksgiving holiday. From Tuesday, Nov. 4, through Friday, Nov. 21, our students will be collecting non-perishable food items near the entrances to Chilton House (age 2–K) and Little School (grades 1–4), as well as by the main desk in Morrow House (grades 5–8).
Most Needed Non-Perishable Food Items:
- ShopRite gift cards in the amount of $25
- Canned yams and canned cranberry sauce
- Cornbread mix and stuffing
- Rice: white, brown, wild grain
- Boxed macaroni and cheese
- Coffee and tea
- Canned fish and meat (e.g., tuna, chicken, or ham)
- Shelf-stable milk
- Boxed meals (e.g., pasta, cereal, potatoes)
- Canned and packaged meals (e.g., chili, soups)
- Peanut butter (plastic jars only)
- Canned vegetables and fruits
Safety Note: For logistical and safety reasons, please do not donate bottled water, soda, baby food, or items packaged in glass or cellophane.
We encourage every member of our school community to participate and join our student leaders in making this drive a massive success for the Englewood Center for Food Action!
There's No Better Time to Support Your Child's Education
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