MAHOPA C

Boys and girls count cans at the Mahopac Falls Elementary School to benefit the St. John’s Food Pantry. Children pictured include Craig Perri, Patrick MaMahon, Michael Callahan, Emily Pontillo, and Avery Prsymylski. ERIC GROSS The 100th day of school has come and gone for children at the Mahopac Falls Elementary School.

The day proved to be beneficial for the St. John’s Church Food Pantry in Mahopac, when the seven kindergarten classes collected 100 cans of food per class in conjunction with the celebration.

The 100 Cans of Caring drive kicked off similar food collection efforts throughout, the district and, according to teacher Fran Shea, “simultaneously celebrated the 5-year-olds’ newly acquired ability to count to 100 in ones and fives.”

Patrick McMahon, a student in Shea’s class, understood why he was collecting food: “This is for all the people who don’t have money for food or jobs or even houses.”

Classmate Craig Perri had another prospective: “They have some money— just not enough!”

Shea called the project a “great learning experience. The children now understand what it means to support others.”

The counting of cans continues this week at the school.

—Eric Gross