By Emma Stone
“Pennies for a Purpose” is a project started by Laura Spillers and Megan Hunt, partner teachers to an A.E. Phillips first grade class.
Yesterday morning the students were honored with a Hunger Fighter certificate presented by Louisiana Tech student Ethan Jeffus, creator of Little Free Food Pantry.
“Last year, we came together as a class and walked to the Little Free Food Pantry on Louisiana Tech’s campus,” said Spillers. “We read a book on food insecurity, and a student told us they wanted to give to the poor.”
As a result, Spillers and Hunt introduced “Pennies for a Purpose.” The students were each tasked with collecting pennies.
“They showed up with Ziploc bags full of pennies,” said Spillers. “Pretty soon, we had enough to fill a jar.”
From there, the students gathered around to pick out groceries to fill the Little Free Food Pantry with the pennies.
“We wanted college students to be healthy,” said Dax Pevy, an A.E. Phillips first grader.
To honor their contribution, Champ, Louisiana Tech’s mascot, and Jeffus rewarded them with Hunger Fighter certificates along with a bag of goodies.
Each bag had a foam soccer ball, candy, and two coloring books provided by Kim Dupree, local State Farm representative.
“I think it’s an amazing thing how these first-grade students were able to come together and collect coins to then buy items to stock the little free pantry,” said Jeffus. “Their efforts show that even at a young age you can have a passion to give back and make a difference in the community and that’s what this group of students has done.”
