Kids helping kids around the world: Coin drive to benefit Rise Against Hunger begins Monday at BPES

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For years, Broadalbin-Perth students, faculty, and staff have helped their neighbors in need through food drives. While that work continues to make a difference locally, each year, the district seeks to make a more global impact through Rise Against Hunger, a non-profit organization that distributes meals through partner organizations in developing countries and in areas affected by natural disasters.

Since 2016, B-P has partnered with the Broadalbin Presbyterian Church to raise money and package meals for Rise Against Hunger. Last year, the school community raised about $16,000, and more than 200 volunteers packaged more than 45,000 meals in less than three hours. The district later learned that those meals helped feed people in the Phillippines.

“Volunteerism and helping those in need is an important part of our character education program, and service is one of our district’s core values,” said B-P Superintendent of Schools Stephen Tomlinson. “Over the years, our teachers, administrators, and club advisors have done a great job of providing opportunities for our students to give back to the local community. And while we’re committed to continuing to help our neighbors, what I love about Rise Against Hunger is that it opens our students’ eyes to more global issues. It’s kids helping kids around the world.”

The most successful aspect of B-P's fundraising campaign has traditionally been the elementary coin drive, which brought in $9,521.43 in 2024. This year's coin drive kicks off on Monday, Jan. 13, and students will have until Friday, Jan. 17 to try to help their classes reach fundraising targets and earn full-class incentives.

Every 41 cents raised is equal to one meal through Rise Against Hunger. Elementary classes that raise at least $50 will earn a movie in the high school auditorium and generate more than 120 meals. Classes that raise at least $100 will earn the movie plus the opportunity to duct tape a teacher to the wall; $100 provides more than 240 meals. Classes that raise at least $150 will also earn a glow dance party in the gym and generate more than 360 meals. The top fundraising class in each grade will also receive a cotton candy party for the whole class, courtesy of the Broadalbin-Perth PTO.

The B-P community's goal this year is to raise enough money to package 45,000 meals during the annual meal packaging party on Sunday, Feb. 2. Members of the school community can sign up to volunteer to package meals or make a donation by visiting the event webpage. To help a class toward their fundraising goals, view the list of teams to select a teacher. Residents can also donate their spare change (or cash or checks made out to Broadalbin-Perth Central School District with "Rise Against Hunger" in the memo) through any elementary student.