Accompsett Middle School, New York
6 students
Advisor: Michael Toth
Students across the country are stepping up to solve real challenges in their communities. At Accompsett Middle School, a team of students saw a need and took action—demonstrating the power of leadership, determination, and teamwork. Their project, Cans 4 A Cause, is a testament to what’s possible when young leaders take charge.
The Need:
Like many areas across the U.S., rising inflation has made it harder for families to afford essentials, including food. Recognizing the increasing demand at their local food pantry, a team of students set an ambitious goal to collect between 500 and 1,500 canned goods to support those facing food insecurity.
The Project:
Over three weeks last fall, the students organized a community-wide food drive to gather donations. To maximize impact, they partnered with a local elementary school, engaging younger students in hands-on learning experiences. Through interactive lessons, storytelling, and grade-level games, they helped children understand the challenges of food insecurity and how they could take action by participating in the food drive. Their efforts not only increased donations but also raised awareness about hunger.
The Results:
Through their outreach and collection efforts, the students successfully gathered 1,100 canned goods for donation! Lead4Change awarded them a $2,500 grant for the Smithtown Food Pantry. The funds will be used to purchase industrial shelving to improve storage capacity and additional food items to further support local families in need. Thanks to these students’ leadership and commitment, their community is one step closer to fighting food insecurity.
Empowering Students to Lead with Purpose
These students didn’t just have a great idea—they had the leadership skills to bring it to life. That’s exactly what Lead4Change is all about.
Lead4Change is a free leadership curriculum that helps middle and high school students:
✅ Identify real needs in their communities
✅ Develop creative solutions
✅ Take meaningful action
Just like the students behind Cans 4 a Cause, your students have the potential to create real change—they just need the right tools.
Bring Leadership to Your Classroom
Help your students lead, serve, and make a difference with our free, ready-to-use curriculum.
Every student has the potential to be a great leader who gets big things done. Lead4Change unlocks that potential—empowering them to see a problem, take action, and create lasting impact in their communities.
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