Children held bake and hot chocolate sales. Some sold old toys. A few others walked dogs.

Several of Providence Day’s fourth-graders also gave up allowances they earned from cleaning the house, washing dishes, and doing chores.

And Leah Stevens took her love of the arts to set up a stand at Winter Market, where she sold handmade jewelry, clay bowls, and knitted pigs. 

“It makes me feel awesome that I got to do what I love while helping other people,” the fourth-grader says. “One of my passions is art and knitting crafts. How did I come up with pigs? They’re a fun, easy animal to knit.”

Providence Day fourth-graders support The Lunch Project, where money raised helps give thousands of children a hot meal daily in Tanzania, Africa. This year, 115 fourth-graders raised $11,000 across two months, shattering a goal of $1,000 per class. 

They celebrated last week in The Stable by cheering themselves on and remembering that helping others is the reward.

“We’re blessed, and I just wanted to help them and give them a good life,” says fourth-grader Logan Springer, who completed chores around the house to help raise money. “It made me want to work even harder and raise more money.”

Teachers and officials with The Lunch Project call the $11,000 feat “unbelievable.” 

“It’s a huge accomplishment,” Leigh Cook, a fourth-grade teacher and team leader, says. “Our fourth-graders have gone above and beyond this year.”

Kathryn McLeod, the Director of Development and Marketing for Charlotte-based Thrive Global Project, which supports The Lunch Project, says the amount Providence Day’s students raised covers the cost of food for a school for an entire year. 

“It’s massive,” Ms. McLeod, who attended Providence Day, says. “It’s an unbelievable amount and life-changing for these students.”

Cristo Aragon-Rico went to the local animal shelter and fostered animals. His mom, he says, gave him money for the work he did while fostering the dogs and cats.

“I really like animals, and the shelter is close to us,” the fourth-grader says. “It felt really good to do that because it’s a good cause.”

Students learn social responsibility at Providence Day to ensure they cultivate a sense of connection to the community and world, educators say. Social responsibility progresses throughout the curriculum in all grades, from activities that develop empathy and gratitude in Lower School to problem-solving and innovation in Upper School.

Fourth-grader Georgie Kaufman conducted a dial-for-dollars to raise money. She showed a video of The Lunch Project and raised hundreds of dollars.

“I’m really proud to be a part of what we did as a grade,” Georgie says. “I knew we were going to raise the money because we have a lot of ambition."

The Lunch Project helps fuel children with the healthy food they need and inspires the community around them, much like the Providence Day community, Cook says.

Chase Hovis, a fourth-grader, sold hot chocolate at a stand to raise money because The Lunch Project inspired him.

“It was pretty cold when I had the stand,” Chase says. “But it was raising money for kids who need food, so it was good. I’m very happy that we can help.”