Maybe they haven’t learned how to calculate the gross domestic product yet, but kids in Charles County know one thing about the economy: how to help folks in need.

Charles County Public Schools students donated nearly 4,500 non-perishable food items as part of a food drive coordinated by the Charles County Sheriff’s Office and the school system.

It all began when news that the nationwide economic downturn had forced many local food pantries to close their doors to families in need. Troubled by the thought of empty pantry shelves, members of the Sheriff’s Office’s Special Operations Division decided to restock them and devised a plan to ask every student to bring one canned good to school to help. The school system was eager to join forces with the Sheriff’s Office and as they finalized the details of their collection plan, Chick-fil-A offered to help by providing a coupon for a free sandwich to each participating student. On Feb. 24, a team of representatives from the Sheriff’s Office, the schools and Chick-fil-A—including McGruff the Crime Dog, his nephew Scruff and the Chick-fil-A cow—assembled at Piccowaxen Middle School and Higdon Elementary School to officially kick-off the effort.

No one expected the flood of food that arrived.  

Piccowaxen’s 496 students donated 684 items and at Higdon, the team collected 367 more. In the weeks that followed, the team manned collection sites at La Plata High School, Milton Somers Middle School, Mattawoman Middle School, Berry Elementary School and Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School. At the end of the drive, they had collected 4,350 canned goods and other items, much of which the Sheriff’s Office immediately delivered to LifeStyles, Inc., the Hughesville Women’s Shelter, Catholic Charities and the Children’s Aid Society. Berry students had the most overwhelming response: Its 815 students donated 1,580 items.

“Just about everybody has felt the effects of the economy in one way or another but in Charles County, generosity and compassion always prevail,” said Sheriff Rex Coffey. “The kids of this community are phenomenal. They responded with such excitement and energy; they are the reason it was such a great success.”

The Sheriff also expressed his appreciation for the team that coordinated the drive. “Our Special Operations Division saw a problem they wanted to address and the school system and Chick-fil-A came on board without hesitation,” he said. “Police, schools, businesses and citizens coming together in the spirit of compassion to help those in need — that’s what Charles County is all about.”

Visit www.ccso.us, www.ccboe.com and www.chick-fil-a.com for more information about the participating agencies.