Each year, the Legacy Elementary community comes together for a holiday food drive to support a local food pantry. This year, Legacy counselor Valerie Llanas and the Communities In Schools Site Coordinator Ashlie Sanchez answered the FOUND Mission’s call for snack donations to help stock their pantry for the Fuel in the School initiative.
The FOUND Mission has benefited Legacy students in the past with snacks, blankets, supplies, and clothes. When Llanas and Sanchez heard FOUND was in desperate need of snack items, they decided to help out.
Over the course of two weeks, Legacy students and staff donated a wide variety of snack items while taking part in themed dress-up days. Together, they collected grab-and-go foods such as ramen, mac and cheese cups, granola bars, fruit snacks, chips, crackers, beef jerky, and more.
In addition to the snack drive, Legacy staff also gathered blankets and beanies for the FOUND Warmth for West Texas campaign, which provides a cozy Christmas gift to students in need.
Llanas explained that participating in donation drives allows students to actively live out the Frenship Way. This districtwide philosophy emphasizes servant leadership, the development of positive character traits, and a dedication to community service.
“I think it's so important for students to consider giving back to their community, showing kindness through helping others, and building empathy for those in need,” said Llanas. “Generosity is also the district Mental Health Theme for December, which highlights that in giving to others, we also build happiness in ourselves and promote a ripple effect that can spread to others.”
By the end of the drive, the Legacy Student Council had packed 52 boxes overflowing with snacks and collected more than 20 blankets, along with hats and gloves donated by staff members. The response was so generous that Llanas and Sanchez enlisted a volunteer with a trailer to transport all the donations.
This being her first year at Frenship, Sanchez said she was amazed by the generosity and community spirit throughout the district.
“The Frenship community really takes care of one another, and this year Legacy showed up in a BIG way,” said Sanchez. “Legacy students and families gave with their whole hearts from single items to bulk packs of snacks.”
Thanks to the generosity of students, families, and staff, the Legacy Elementary community made a meaningful impact this holiday season. Their contributions to the FOUND Mission Fuel in the School initiative and the Warmth for West Texas campaign will provide snacks, blankets, and essential items to local students in need, spreading kindness and support throughout the community.
The drive not only helped others but also gave Legacy students a chance to live by the Frenship Way. As Llanas likes to say, “little hearts give big”, a reminder that even small acts of generosity can make a big difference.