Planting the Seeds for a Wonderful Harvest

By Beverly Perkins

Almost three decades ago, Renee Herman was determined to teach children at a young age to give back and give out to donors. Western High School was just one of the many schools which participated. “All the kids who come, they want to be here, the community. So, the ambitious individual created “The Harvest Drive” at Country Isles Elementary. What started with just a few bags of groceries at the Weston school has grown into 13 distribution sites with almost 200 schools participating and teaching students to give back and share kindness.

“Food is… fuel, joy, necessary, shared with family and friends, a source of strength and the centerpiece for many of our fondest memories. The Harvest Drive is a fabulous opportunity to make a difference in the lives of future philanthropists, namely the many children who have been at the helm of our year-round collections for 29 years,” explained Harvest Drive Founder, Renee Herman.

During this year’s annual Harvest Drive, students, and staff from Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) recently helped families in need this past Thanksgiving. Schools across the district collected non-perishable food and other donations along with community businesses, corporations, civic organizations, Parent Teacher Associations (PTA), volunteer organizations, and individual they want to help,” explained Cayla Ankney, Western High School Student. “I got involved at first because my friends were doing it and then I realized what the bigger goal of it was and how essential it is for other people. They could be the person sitting next to you in class, and you wouldn't even know. So, I figured that's a good reason to help.” Western Wildcats and volunteers packed and organized thousands of donated items for families in need. These families then picked up their donations which also included the groceries for a Thanksgiving meal. This year they fed 360 families out of the Davie high school, but overall, about 2,200 families were fed through the abundance of donations. “We are so lucky to be part of the Broward County School Board that they let us come in and do this project to teach our kids why it is so important, especially after the two years that we've had,” added Herman. “We love what we do. We have the passion in the heart, and this is what we try to teach our kids.”