staff members wearing red tongie shirts, standing in front of a red harvesters banner

USD 464 held its first-ever District Day of Service last week, as 12-month staff members volunteered their time at the Harvesters - The Community Food Network warehouse in Lawrence. This new annual tradition brought together district staff for an afternoon of team-building and community impact.

Harvesters harnesses the power of community to increase equitable access to nutritious food while addressing the root causes and lasting effects of hunger. During their volunteer shift, USD 464 staff helped pack food boxes for the Senior Food Commodities Program, which provides monthly support to low-income seniors across the region. Harvesters also plays a vital role in supporting youth-focused efforts like the BackSnack Program, which supplies weekend meals for students in need. Locally, this initiative fuels Tonganoxie Elementary School’s Backpack Buddies program, helping ensure students have consistent access to nourishing food even when school is not in session.

More than just an afternoon of volunteering, this event also served as an important team-building opportunity for our year-round staff. Working side by side in support of a shared cause reinforces the strong sense of purpose and collaboration that drives our district forward every day.

We are proud to continue this partnership with Harvesters and grateful for the chance to support an organization that directly touches the lives of our students and families.

We look forward to making the District Day of Service a lasting tradition in USD 464!

#tongienation #usd464

technology department staff wearing red shirts load apple juice into cardboard boxesdistrict staff wearing tongie shirts load canned goods into cardboard boxes on an assembly linedistrict staff wearing tongie shirts load canned goods into cardboard boxes on an assembly linedistrict staff wearing tongie shirts load canned goods into cardboard boxes on an assembly linedistrict staff wearing tongie shirts load canned goods into cardboard boxes on an assembly linedistrict staff wearing tongie shirts load canned goods into cardboard boxes on an assembly linedistrict staff wearing tongie shirts load canned goods into cardboard boxes on an assembly linedistrict staff members wearing red shirts stand in the warehouse lobby listening to instructions from the Harvesters supervisordistrict staff wearing tongie shirts load canned goods into cardboard boxes on an assembly linedistrict staff wearing tongie shirts load canned goods into cardboard boxes on an assembly line