Forest Park Elementary recently concluded its annual Ramadan Food Drive—this initiative highlights the school’s dedication to teaching cultural awareness and the importance of community support. Partnering with the Islamic Center of the Capital District, the school once again rallied students, staff, and families to embrace the values of giving and unity.  

Throughout the drive, each grade level was assigned specific food items to bring in as their donations, with the goal of surpassing 500 contributions. In total, the drive collected over 540 items, exceeding expectations and demonstrating the generosity and community spirit of our students and families. As a culmination of their efforts, students brought their donations to the cafeteria steps during morning assembly and celebrated their collective success. The class with the highest number of contributions was rewarded with Wolf Pack t-shirts as recognition for their hard work and philanthropy.  

To deepen student understanding of Ramadan and its significance, Forest Park’s Muslim community collaborated on a video with event organizers, featuring students sharing personal traditions and information about their culture. This video was shared at the assembly, with the objective of deepening students’ understanding of the holiday and what it means to those who celebrate.  

Following the presentation, third-grade students assisted in packing and loading the food onto a South Colonie school bus for delivery to the Islamic Center. This allowed students to be a part of the process every step of the way, offering them the opportunity to understand the scope of their impact on the community.  

“Each year, our goal is not only to provide support but to create meaningful connections,” said Forest Park Librarian and program coordinator Colleen Kuno. “Through initiatives like this, we hope to instill a sense of unity, empathy, and understanding among our students while making a tangible difference in the lives of those around us.”