: Pre-kindergartners, teachers and parents from Primrose School of Madison walk to Kroger to buy food for their can-a-thon. CONTRIBUTED

MADISON – Pre-kindergarten students at Primrose School of Madison took a walking field trip to Kroger to purchase non-perishable items for a local food bank.

Primrose Schools Corporate sponsors the annual can-a-thon, an example of their community outreach projects throughout the year. At the Madison school, parents and faculty members placed their contributions in a food donation box.

Parents asked their pre-K students to do chores to raise money to buy food. For the past month, the class collected money.

With the vicinity of Kroger on Hughes Road to Primrose, the children had the chance for an actual field trip. Along with teachers Amanda Cunningham, Rebecca Benton, and Suma Bathina and parent chaperones, 24 students walked to Kroger to buy 240 non-perishable food items costing $243.11.

A Madison police officer escorted them.

During November, Cunningham explained to the students about the need for the food drive. In age-appropriate terms, she stated that people are living in the Madison area who do not have enough money to buy groceries for their family.

Primrose children are taught to help those in need if your are able. “Because if you needed help, wouldn’t you appreciate it if someone helped you?” teachers asked them.

North Alabama Food Bank will receive the food. The children selected soup, rice, noodles, canned vegetables and fruits. A couple of their favorite items were marshmallows and cookie mixes.

The Primrose pre-kindergartners were excited about the hike to and purchases at Kroger. Student Andrew Williams said, “It was good to get food for people. Then, they won’t be poor.”

Troy Ponder and Myra McCrary own Primrose School of Madison at 124 Plaza Blvd. For more information, call 256-772-2029 or visit primroseschools.com/schools/madison/.