Inspired by Bills’ Josh Allen, Ledgeview Elementary School Students To Help Community

Drawing inspiration from the words of Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, fourth graders at Ledgeview Elementary School will be taking time through the school year to perform community service activities.

The students’ work will include monthly projects to benefit organizations including the Clarence Food Pantry, the P.U.N.T Pediatric Cancer Collaborative, Harvest House. The students prepared for the initiative by watching Allen’s acceptance speech after winning the NFL’s Most Valuable Player award, which he memorably closed by saying, “Be good, do good, God bless, and go Bills.”

“We thought the message was catchy, and it has a great meaning,” said teacher Natalie Miller. “They’re realizing there’s a world beyond them. A small act can make a big difference in others’ lives, and they’re seeing that.”

Students will kickstart their work for the community with a food drive to support the Clarence Food Pantry, as they heard about its 45 years of work in the community from director Jim Owen. Students were shown items that are frequently requested by those in need, ranging from staples like rice, peanut butter and jelly and household staples like soaps and toothpaste.

“Every little bit helps,” Owen said. 

Owen said the elementary school has a long history of supporting the pantry’s work, and expressed his gratitude for the school community’s support. 

For more information about the Clarence Food Pantry, visit https://www.211wny.org/provider/3643/ or email ccp@clarencepresby.org.