The primary and intermediate grade levels at Dassa McKinney Elementary School are in the midst of a competition in which others will directly benefit.

The initiative teaches a valuable lesson: Doing for others is a reward in itself.

The two grade levels are undertaking a challenge to see who can collect more canned foods and hygiene products through donations to stock the Moniteau Food Pantry for the "Share the Love" food drive that is centered around Valentine's Day.

The elementary school has hosted a food drive for several years — and Lindsey Doolin, a fifth-grade teacher at the school, said she hopes to collect more than 2020's collection goal of 2,020 items. The school wasn't able to hold a food drive last year.

"The food pantry needs to be replenished, and February would be a good time to do it," Doolin said. "It's also a way to teach kids to help in their community."

We think it's a great initiative.

Although the food pantry's coordinator, Wendy Hazlett, said the site's peak is typically around the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, donations are needed year-round.

Although students who win the competition will get a small reward — the class that gets the most donations at the elementary level will face off against the intermediate class with the most donations in a game called "Hungry, Hungry Humans" as well as get a sneak peak of the high school play — the real prize is getting them involved in their community and helping others.

While we'd hope that's a lesson they'd learn in the process, Doolin said it is already being instilled.

"They get very excited about it," she said. "We have the tables in our hallways, so you can see how much food they brought in. It encourages them to do it. They get excited to help."

We're glad to hear it, and wish both grade levels luck as they face off against each other in the food drive competition.

— NCD