Each November, children at Primrose schools learn they have the power to improve the lives of others through the Caring and Giving Food Drive. Children give their own time and effort to help people in need in their community.

Here’s how it works: Children do simple chores at home to earn money, bring the money to school and then buy the food during a field trip to the grocery store. So, setting the table for dinner each night might earn them $5 that they can use to buy canned vegetables to add to their school’s donation to a local food bank.

The food drive is just one part of the year-round lesson of “giving without expectation” that’s embedded in the Balanced Learning^® curriculum taught by teachers at Primrose schools. It’s part of Primrose’s foundational belief that who children become is as important as what they know.

Another nationwide effort, Og’s Bountiful Books, takes place in February, when students collect books for children who lack access to literature. Primrose schools also support local charities throughout the year. Here are a few of our favorites from the 2021-2022 school year. (Read about previous good works from students and alumni.)

• Supporting veterans: Children at Primrose School of Conroe (Texas) donated 3,758 pounds of food to their local VFW post to support veterans and their families. The children collected nonperishable food items over the summer; in the past, the school hosted a winter coat and glove drive for the veterans. The VFW post was chosen because several enrolled families include active military members or veterans.
• Sending help to Ukrainian children: Primrose School of Alpharetta (Georgia) raised more than $14,000 to help children in Ukraine, targeting organizations such as Save the Children, which is providing humanitarian aid to child refugees. Kindergartners raised about $7,000 and Franchise Owners Irina and Suvir Bhatia matched the sum. Mrs. Bhatia was born and raised in Kyiv, where her family still lives.
• Building robots for a good cause: Summer Adventure Clubs at Primrose schools across the country participated in the Ready, Set, Robotics! charity challenge. The elementary school students worked together to build and code a robot and presented a group project for the friendly competition. The top three teams received funds to donate to charities of their choice. Primrose School of Mill Creek (Washington) gave $2,500 to the PAWS animal welfare organization, Primrose School of Fleming Island (Florida) gave $1,500 to Safe Animal Shelter, and Primrose School of West Allen (Texas) gave $1,000 to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, in honor of teachers and families facing cancer.
• Collecting diapers for families in need: Primrose School of Ward Parkway in Kansas City, Missouri, hosted a two-week diaper drive. They donated almost 8,000 diapers and wipes to Happy Bottoms, a nonprofit that helps low-income families in Kansas City who struggle to afford diapers.
• Making bracelets for families in Ukraine: Kindergarten students at Primrose School of Brentwood (Tennessee) and Primrose School of Nashville Midtown helped make yellow and blue bracelets — the colors of the Ukrainian flag — and sold them for $5 apiece. They raised more than $1,000 selling the bracelets to family and friends, and then the Franchise Owners matched the donation, raising about $2,000 for the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to help children living through the war in Ukraine.
• Giving toys to other children at the holidays: Children at Primrose School of Wayne (New Jersey) and their families collected more than 100 toys for Toys for Tots, working to make sure all children receive a gift during the holiday season.

These examples and many others provide important opportunities for character development. Primrose believes that when strong character is developed early, children grow up to be better citizens of the world. It can start with a single can of food.

We know there are many more stories of Primrose students and alumni showing care and generosity. If you have one, tag us at @PrimroseSchools on Facebook or Instagram.

For more on how teachers at Primrose schools nurture positive character traits, visit:

• How to Nurture Generosity in Young Children
• Ideas to Start a Giving Tradition in Your Family
• To Teach Children Respect, Show Them Respect