Hardin, IL — November 2025 — Students and staff across Calhoun Elementary and Junior High, along with Calhoun High School, demonstrated the true meaning of teamwork—the district’s CKH (Capturing Kids’ Hearts) character trait of the month—by organizing a highly successful canned food drive throughout November.
Thanks to the collective effort of students, staff, and families, the schools donated more than 1,700 items, including canned foods, pasta, toiletries, and other essentials. The generosity didn’t stop there. Calhoun’s 8th-grade students took initiative by sponsoring a special fundraiser, selling snacks from a student-run cart during lunch for grades 5–8. Their hard work resulted in over $350 in cash donations, a significant contribution that will help meet local community needs.
All donations—both items and funds—were delivered to St. Vincent DePaul in Hardin, where they will support families and individuals facing hardship this holiday season.
School leaders praised the students’ commitment to service and collaboration. “We are incredibly proud of our students and staff for their teamwork and generosity,” the district shared. “Their efforts truly embody what it means to care for others and give back to the community.”
The November food drive not only supported local families but also reinforced the power of kindness, leadership, and teamwork—values Calhoun Schools strive to instill in every student.