Scottish Catholic Observer

Over the Lenten period, the pupils collected food from parents and staff and donated it to the East Dunbartonshire Foodbank.  Every class in the school got involved with the collection efforts, and in total managed to gather 323kg—four carloads—of food, with some people donating full meals for the charity.

Anne Carson from East Dunbartonshire Foodbank came to the school to collect the children’s donation and said that the young fundraisers (above) were amazing.

“They were so helpful in loading the cars when we came to collect the food,” Ms Carson said. “It shows great community spirit in the young people and we are grateful for their kindness and enthusiasm.”

Andrew Gallagher, depute headteacher at St Helen’s, said the response was phenomenal, but that in many ways he was not surprised by the children’s incredible effort.

“Every time we try and do something for charity the response overwhelms us,” he said. “Foodbanks have very much been in the news recently so it was very topical and the children do understand the issues, that some people are finding it very difficult in these economic times.”

The foodbank work was coordinated by the school’s P6 pupils who have enrolled in the Pope Francis Faith Award, an initiative of the Scottish Catholic Education Service and the Scottish bishops which is designed to help children show ‘signs of love’ in their daily lives and to be active members of their local Church.

In addition to their charity work, the pupils have been working in their local parish—St Dominic’s in Bishopbriggs —tidying the church gardens and handing out leaflets at Mass.

Mr Gallagher said he thinks the Pope Francis Faith Award —which was first introduced in Lent last year—has been a great addition to the school’s faith teaching.

“It gives children a chance to be more visible in the parish and I think that is one of the fantastic things—to show they have a faith that goes just beyond attending Mass and do other things to promote their Faith.

“They are keen to take part. They are not just going to church; they are doing things in the church community and being an active part of that community in the school. They are a visible example of what faith can be.”

The depute head added that he thinks the award allows his pupils to become ‘responsible young citizens’ and said that the things they learn will hopefully stay with them as they grow up.

“You can’t speak for all of them but I know our high school has many faith base initiatives so I can see it lasting in them,” he added.

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—This story ran in full in the June 5 edition print of the SCO, available in parishes.