Recycling Matters Green Team

Where green meets gratitude

When the fifth graders in Meadow Pond Elementary’s Recycling Matters Green Team look at the 17 boxes of unused Halloween candy they’ve collected, they don’t see chocolate bars and peanut butter cups, they envision soldiers, far away, getting a sweet taste of home. And when they look at the cans and bottles they’ve collected to be recycled, they know they are helping to provide a taste of home this Thanksgiving for those who may not have one.

The Recycling Matters Green Team is a long-standing before-school club at Meadow Pond Elementary School. Members take leadership in school sustainability initiatives and work with community organizations to redistribute items which might otherwise be thrown out. 

Club Members Show their Candy Collection

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just in time for thanksgiving ... a new partnership

This year just in time for Thanksgiving, the club has a new partner: the Emergency Shelter Partnership.

“The funds the students are raising through refundable bottles and cans’ proceeds will help purchase food for the Community Thanksgiving Dinner 2022 program which will supply 3,000 Thanksgiving meals to those in need in Westchester County and the Bronx.” said Dr. Lara Monash, the school psychologist and club advisor. She added that the Emergency Shelter Partnership will also use the club’s donations to provide a breakfast for 10 - 15 homeless people in Bedford and Mt. Kisco who will be given warm shelter and food during the winter months of November through March.

a new collection each month

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Meadow Pond's Command Center for Giving

Dr. Monasch’s office serves as Meadow Pond Elementary School’s command center for giving. Club members have created a multicolored spreadsheet of the year’s collection schedule on the large whiteboard. November: Leftover Halloween candy will be delivered to soldiers serving overseas and to veterans. December: Gently used winter clothing will be redistributed through the Community Center of Northern Westchester.

“I feel grateful that we have thing to share,” said club member Liliana. “We are able to help other people by recycling." Audrey adds hat she’s glad she’s on the Recycling Matters Green Team because she can learn more and teach others.

“I am thankful that we are helping the earth so that it is a better place by the time we are adults,” said club member Ruby.