The inaugural day of giving at Forest Lake Elementary School was a huge success, with students filling about 350 treat bags. The donations will be given to the nonprofit Interfaith Nutrition Network in Hempstead, which helps the hungry and homeless on Long Island. 

During art, students decorated paper bags with holiday greetings and pictures. On Dec. 20, each class visited the cafeteria and students filled the bags. Spread out on multiple tables were items donated by Forest Lake families, including animal crackers, cereal, cheese and crackers, chips, fruit cups, fruit snacks, juice and water. Every student was asked to put one drink and two snacks in a bag. 

Principal Jessica Zimmer, who coordinated the community service project with guidance counselor Donna Shulman, said that she plans to make the day of giving an annual event. She noted that between making and filling the bags, each student could participate in at least one step of the process. 

“We wanted every child to have that chance to give back to the community for the holidays,” Ms. Zimmer said.