Community service is an important part of being a student at Junior Academy. We participate in several initiatives annually, and other community based events to help provide our students with a broader sense of purpose, responsibility and charity. House Captains organize our annual food and toy drives as a part of their leadership responsibilities. Other initiatives include:
Here is a few reflections of grade 7 students following a visit to the Daily Bread Food Bank wherein she spent two hours of service sorting and packing non-perishable food donations, bagging produce from farms and getting a tour of the facility to see all the work they do to help those in need.
“The way we helped is by packing food and labeling the boxes. Also weighing all the boxes, then putting them in categories. When I was volunteering it felt like I was doing the right thing. It was very tiring, but fun at the same time. While I was helping I thought to myself how lucky we are that we don’t have to worry about whether or not we will have food tomorrow.”
“It felt good to help out at the food bank. The main lesson I learned today was that I should be grateful that I get food so easily. I should not take it for granted because lots of people right here in the GTA can’t afford food. We always think of people who don’t have enough in other countries. Today, I was reminded that people need our help to eat right here in Toronto. I was worried about volunteering and didn’t think I’d really be able to do much to help. There were so many jobs to do that there was some way that everyone could contribute. We can all help in our own way and should never use that as an excuse.”