When three classes of more than 60 second graders at Greenfield Elementary School invited members of the town’s Recreation Department to speak to them about “community,” the students gave their town back a surprise of thanks that they never saw coming.

The elementary students sat patiently during a presentation by two Greenfield Recreation Department representatives, Rebecca Sewell and Jen Zeisler, and learned about the many ways the Town of Greenfield works to build a sense of community through its programs, volunteers, events, support and communication. At the conclusion of the event, Greenfield Elementary Principal Dr. Tina Davis shared that the second graders held a hugely successful two-week food pantry collection as a thank you for the visit and proceeded to wheel in three large utility carts full of household supplies and grocery items for the Town of Greenfield Food Pantry.

“It was amazing and we were absolutely shocked,” said Recreation Director Rebecca Sewell. “The Food Bank is a vital program in Greenfield and this massive donation is so needed. These kids are model examples of what it means to be great citizens.”

The Town of Greenfield Food Pantry operates weekly at 25 Wilton Rd. on Wednesdays from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. It is sponsored by St. Joseph’s Church.