Since 2015, Canal Winchester Middle School 6th grade staff and students sponsor a food drive initiative where money is raised to partner with Canal Winchester Human Services. This initiative was inspired by Brooklyn Best, a 6th grader at that time, and her desire to honor the life of the late Brock Johnson, a peer and classmate. Two important events culminate from the donations: 1) the students engage in a real-world budgeting and shopping experience at the local Meijer, filling the Community Food Pantry with needed items, and 2) The students distribute more than 4,000 plastic shopping bags throughout the School District and ask residents to fill them with food donations. At this point, the community comes together to walk the neighborhoods of Canal Winchester, picking up donations. Then all donations are then taken to the Canal Winchester Human Services where they are sorted, counted, and stocked for distribution to the Community Food Pantry clients.
Brock Walk has become a community effort, not only in remembrance of Brock’s life, but also sparking new and old relationships that collectively help those who need compassion and support. In 2023, Brock Walk took in 19,830 food pantry items! This is an extraordinary result from an extraordinary community. A huge thanks goes out to Kelly Best and the entire 6th grade team for continuing to make Brock Walk a heart-warming and ongoing success.
