Over 1,200 boxes of cereal

Students at South Street School in Manorville were busy last month collecting boxes of cereal for local food pantries. With over 1,200 boxes collected, the donation was given to local organization Helping Makes U Happy.

“It couldn’t have happened at a better time,” said Keith Caputo of Helping Makes U Happy, explaining that pantries all around have been reaching out for cereal.

“We are always grateful for cereal donations—it’s such a staple for families. [Cereal] contains protein, is easy for kids to feed themselves,” added Keith’s mom, Cassy. “Keith says, ‘When their bellies are hungry, they can’t learn, and learning is important.’”

In an effort to have fun with the donation and celebrate all the elementary students’ hard work as part of the second annual collection, the boxes were lined up throughout all four hallways in the building leading into the principal’s office. As the children watched, the boxes were knocked down like dominoes. The fun video can be seen at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=rK81h3KDDek&fbclid=IwAR37Cgnro_26F3to6oX6vApyoqvlgXHIbYBTBhTd01vXma8kU4o9mIz3Stw#menu.

After the boxes fell, Keith and Cassy and their friends at the local Boy Scout Troop 23 helped load the boxes into cars and deliver them to the organization at Neville Street for later distribution.

Both members of the Scout troop, and even parents whose children were not able to attend, came to lend a helping hand, trekking boxes of cereal from the school to their vehicles in the rain.

“Any time Helping Makes U Happy give us a call that they need help, we’re always there,” said Sean Spiller, Boy Scout and Cub Scout Pack 23 committee chairman.

Tina King, kindergarten teaching assistant and Positive Behavior in Schools committee leader, said that the second annual cereal drive collected more than last year’s 993 boxes.

As for the organization they donated to, second-grade teaching assistant and PBIS committee leader Kristen Prozromakis said, “Helping Make U Happy has been around our community and has helped out local pantries and families.”

King and Prozromakis said they are very proud of the students for surpassing their goal to beat last year. The winning class who collected the most, they added, will be gifted a 10-minute dance party in the gym. The duo plans to do the third annual cereal drive with a dominoes fall, maybe next time reaching outside!

The boxes were ultimately given to the Neighbors Being Human food pantry, the Step In Faith food pantry, the Moriches Presbyterian Church food pantry and the William Floyd Learning Center, as well as Branches of Long Island, St. John’s R.C. Church, Angels of LI, and a blessing box on Railroad Avenue.

“It was such a happy event for the community, too,” said Cassy, noting that the Boy Scouts had a caravan of helping families. “We are so proud of the school for doing this! It’s amazing how quickly 1200 boxes of cereal will go!”