Far Hills Community Comes Together for Service Learning Food Drive

During the week of November 10–14, the Far Hills Country Day School community came together in an inspiring display of generosity, empathy, and teamwork for our annual Service Learning Food Drive. Organized by our Student Government, this initiative exemplified the Far Hills pillar of Kindness and encouraged students of all ages to take action to make a difference beyond our campus.

This year’s Food Drive supported nourish.NJ, a local organization that provides food, housing, and hope to families in need. With the ongoing government shutdown leaving many families struggling and SNAP benefits temporarily unavailable, the need for community support was greater than ever. Students, families, and faculty were invited to donate non-perishable food items, reusable grocery bags, or $25 grocery store gift cards to help families purchase essentials like milk, eggs, meat, and fresh produce.

Our students didn’t hesitate to rise to the challenge. Throughout the week, classrooms buzzed with excitement as students proudly carried in their donations—boxes of cereal, jars of peanut butter, bags of rice, and cans of soup—each contribution representing a shared commitment to helping others. Teachers used the drive as a teaching moment, encouraging discussions about gratitude, community responsibility, and the impact of collective action.

By the end of the week, the results spoke for themselves. Our community collected an incredible 108 bags of donations, totaling 609 individual food items, along with six grocery store gift cards. Each item will go directly toward supporting local families in Morris County who are facing food insecurity.

A heartfelt shoutout goes to Grade 1, who led the charge by bringing in the most food donations! Their enthusiasm set a shining example for the entire school and reminded us all that kindness has no age limit.

Beyond the numbers, the true success of this initiative lies in what it represents—students learning that their actions, no matter how small, can have a real impact on the world around them. The Food Drive not only supported families in need but also strengthened the sense of unity and compassion that defines Far Hills.

At Far Hills, service learning is at the heart of our mission to develop confident, capable, and kind leaders. We are proud of our students for embodying this spirit and demonstrating what it means to live out our values. Together, we showed that when we combine compassion with action, we can create meaningful change in our community.