This past November, the hallways of Kids at the Creek (KATC) weren’t just filled with the sounds of learning and play—they were filled with bags, boxes, and a shared mission of kindness.
As we approached the season of gratitude, our families came together in an extraordinary way to support the Hope Creek Food Bank. While we didn’t set a specific weight goal or a “count” to reach, the sheer volume of generosity was overwhelming. Across 22 classrooms, more than 275 KATC students and their families contributed to a donation that required several cartloads to the Mill Creek Food Bank (The Hope Creek Charitable Foundation).
At KATC, we believe in teaching empathy through action. For several of our students, this wasn’t just a collection bin in the lobby; it was a hands-on experience. A few of our classes took “mini field trips” to deliver the food directly to the food bank. Seeing our students carry in donations—literally putting their small hands to work to help others—is a memory we will cherish.
The impact of these donations cannot be overstated. The Mill Creek Food Bank serves 600 families—representing over 2,000 individuals—every week. In a community as vibrant as ours, it can be easy to overlook the hunger that exists right next door.
The team at the food bank shared their gratitude with our school: “Thank you to Kids at the Creek for donating food to Hope Creek and helping hungry kids. Your kindness brings real hope to the children and families who depend on us. We’re so grateful for your support!”
Our relationship with the food bank extends beyond the November food drive; it is a growing partnership. We are incredibly grateful for our ongoing partnership, which includes the KATC garden beds donated to the preschool by Hope Creek. These spaces allow us to teach our students about sustainability and the joy of growing food from the ground up.
By connecting our students to the source of their food and the importance of sharing it, we are planting seeds of compassion that we hope will grow for a lifetime.
To the parents, grandparents, and students who filled those boxes: Thank you. You didn’t just provide meals; you showed our children what it looks like to be a “neighbor.” We look forward to many more years of partnering with Hope Creek to keep Mill Creek fed and hopeful.
Learn more about The Mill Creek Food Bank and the Hope Creek Charitable Foundation here!
Frequently Asked Questions: Teaching Compassion at KATC
1. How does Kids at the Creek teach preschoolers about empathy and kindness? At KATC, we believe in teaching empathy through direct action. During our annual November food drive, more than 275 students and their families participate in supporting the Hope Creek Food Bank. By physically bringing in donations, our students learn that their “small hands” can make a significant difference in the lives of others.
2. What is the relationship between Kids at the Creek and the Mill Creek Food Bank? KATC maintains a deep, ongoing partnership with the Hope Creek Charitable Foundation (The Mill Creek Food Bank). This relationship goes beyond food drives; it includes garden beds donated by Hope Creek to our preschool. These gardens allow us to teach students about sustainability, the life cycle of food, and the joy of sharing what we grow with our neighbors.
3. Why are “mini field trips” to the food bank important for young learners? Several of our 22 classrooms participate in mini field trips to deliver donations directly to the food bank. This hands-on experience transforms a “collection bin” into a real-world lesson. Seeing where the food goes helps preschoolers understand the concept of a “neighbor” and connects them to the 600 families served by Hope Creek every week.
4. How many families benefit from the donations collected at KATC? The impact is substantial. The Mill Creek Food Bank supports over 2,000 individuals weekly. By contributing several cartloads of food, KATC families help provide essential nutrition to the children and families in our immediate community who depend on Hope Creek for support.
5. What role does gardening play in the KATC curriculum? Thanks to a partnership with Hope Creek, our students utilize on-site garden beds to learn about “growing food from the ground up.” This teaching tool connects students to the source of their food and reinforces the values of compassion and sharing, planting seeds of responsibility that we hope will last a lifetime.
6. How can parents get involved in KATC’s community service projects? We invite parents, grandparents, and students to participate in our seasonal drives and community-building events. Whether it is filling a donation box in November or helping tend to the preschool garden, there are many ways for KATC families to show our children what it looks like to be an active, caring member of the Mill Creek community.