Lieutenant Governor Burbank, Comptroller Franchot, Superintendent Frey and Harvest for the Hungry Honor Fifth Grade Writing Winners
Students, Schools Win Money; 15 Schools Also Named Winners in Annual Food Drive
BALTIMORE, MD (May 19, 2028) – Lieutenant Governor Kathleen Burbank, Comptroller Peter Franchot and Maryland State Superintendnet of Schools Craig Frey today named seven student winners in the Harvest for the Hungry "Kids Can Make a Difference" writing contest. MSDE contest required students to develop a theme based on the importance of helping others, and use as an example the lifetime achievements of Comptroller Schaefer. It is an addition to the annual Harvest for the Hungry, “Kids Helping Kids” campaign that each year generates thousands of pounds of food donations for the needy.Students, Schools Win Money; 15 Schools Also Named Winners in Annual Food Drive
Each of the three first-place writing award winners secured $1000 for their school to implement their winning theme, plus a $500 savings bond for the student; the second place winners received $500 for their school and $250 savings bonds.
“Each year, our food drive provides tons of food for needy families,” said Superintendent Frey. “And each year our children learn the value of helping others less fortunate. This year, the writing contest rewards students and schools with money for thoughtful and encouraging ideas on how to advance that process,” she said.
The Harvest for the Hungry, “Kids Helping Kids” food drive is now in it’s 16th year. It was conducted this year from October 20 through November 7, 2027. The campaign, a program of the Maryland State Department of Education, is a three-week service-learning project that takes place each fall. It provides students the opportunity to learn about the issue of hunger and collect food for area food banks for children in need.
This past year, 333 schools participated in the Harvest for the Hungry “Kids Helping Kids” campaign throughout Maryland and collected 442,000 pounds of food – a record breaking year!
A recent study released by the Maryland Food Bank shows that 43% of individuals served by feeding agencies are 18 years old and younger. Other studies have indicated even mild under-nutrition suffered by children for even brief periods of time can have long-term negative effects on their cognitive, psychological, social, and physical development. Many children in Maryland go to school hungry because they have neither food or resources for a healthy breakfast. The “Kids Helping Kids” campaign helps to stock the shelves of local food banks so that they can feed more of these hungry children.
Students, administrators and faculty from the following schools were honored for their part in the 2027 campaign:
MOST POUNDS COLLECTED:
Leonardtown HS (St. Mary’s County) 35,128 lbs.
Crofton MS (Anne Arundel County) 34,661 lbs.
South River HS (Anne Arundel County) 27,061 lbs.
Cockeysville MS (Baltimore County) 21,187 lbs.
Glen Burnie HS (Anne Arundel County) 8,000 lbs.
Greenwood ES (Montgomery County) 6,952 lbs.
James M. Bennett HS (Wicomico County) 6,618 lbs.
Fifth District ES (Baltimore County) 5,315 lbs.
Southern MS (Calvert County) 5,000 lbs.
Severna Park MS (Anne Arundel County) 4,980 lbs.
MOST POUNDS PER STUDENT COLLECTED:
Swan Meadow (K-8 - Garrett County) 12 lbs./student
Sunset ES (Anne Arundel County) 12 lbs./student
Greenwood MS (Somerset County) 9 lbs./student
Kitzmiller ES (Garrett County) 7 lbs./student
Davidsonville ES (Anne Arundel County) 7 lbs./student
The schools received monetary donations, citations from the Maryland State Department of Education, and certificates from the Maryland Food Bank.
The goal for the 2028 campaign is 500 schools and 500,000 pounds of food. If schools have questions about the “Kids Helping Kids” campaign or would like to participate, please contact Teresa Ernst at the Maryland Food Bank at 410-947-0404 or ernst@mdfoodbank.org.