Big impacts can come from the smallest places. 

Preschoolers across the Denver metro area came together to donate 14,420 canned goods and $18,200 to local nonprofits as part of Primrose Schools’ annual Caring and Giving Food Drive, according to a news release from the school.

As a part of the curriculum at Primrose Schools — a chain of early education schools and daycares across the country — 3-year-old and 4-year-old students are asked to engage with their community through donation efforts throughout the year.

Each November, the young students throughout the 17 Primrose Schools locations in the metro area are encouraged to bring in canned goods to donate to local nonprofit organizations helping those in need. Older children are encouraged to do chores at home to raise money to buy and donate canned goods.

Since 2019, Primrose Schools have donated nearly 1.5 million food items to local organizations serving the community’s neighbors in need, according to the release.

Some of this year’s nonprofits included Bienvenidos Food Bank, Broomfield FISH, Castle Rock Food Drive, Colorado Food Share, Emergency Family Assistance Association, Erie Food Bank and Food Bank of The Rockies.

“At Primrose, we are committed to fostering a sense of belonging and making a positive difference in the communities we serve,” Jo Kirchner, CEO at Primrose Schools, said in a news release. “As part of our curriculum-based Caring and Giving Food Drive, we do this through hands-on, experiential lessons of service.”

“Experiencing the joy of giving without expectation of receiving anything in return helps children build strong character and positively shapes who they become,” Dr. Amy Jackson, chief early learning officer at Primrose Schools, added.