Category: Stewardship

6th grade Food Drive for Sophia’s Kitchen

For this year’s service project, the 6th graders will organize a food drive for November 17-21, 2025. All items will be donated to Sophia’s Kitchen. Students in all grades are invited to participate and bring in donations. Below are the focus areas for each day of that week.

• Nov 17, Box Monday: rice, cereal, pasta, sauce (no glass jars), granola bars, potatoes, stuffing, boxed meals (pasta & sauce, rice & vegetables, tuna, relish & mayo, etc.)
• Nov 18, Treat Tuesday: coffee creamer, chocolate syrup, can openers (not electric), hand lotion, nail polish, Starbucks/Dunkin gift cards
• Nov 19, Wildcard Wednesday: canned meats, hot pads, oven mitts, cooking utensils
• Nov 20, Toiletry & Cleaning Thursday: packaged paper towels, toilet plungers, packaged toilet paper, Kleenex, detergent, dryer sheets, Clorox wipes, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant
• Nov 21, Free-for-all Friday: canned fruits and vegetables, canned pineapple, plus anything from the week

Remember, no glass please. Pop/pull-top cans are extremely helpful, as many do not have can openers. Please have all items sent to school by 8:00 a.m. on Friday, November 21, 2025 as the full donation will be delivered to Sophia’s Kitchen that morning.

Catholic Charities Visit

(January 17, 2025) —  Sr. Clare and Sr. Merlinda came to St. Philomena School from Catholic Charities to speak about their ministry to the 8th grade class. We sent them back with about 15 bags and boxes of supplies for their clients during this cold weather!

Donations of new and gently used coats, gloves, and hats (all sizes) as well as toiletry items like chapstick, hand warmers, socks, etc. can be dropped off at 615 NE Jefferson Ave., Peoria.

6th Grade Stewardship

(December 21, 2024) — During this holiday season, 6th grade held two activities of stewardship for the hungry in our community. As a result of their Food Drive, they delivered more than 100 boxes of food and supplies to Sophia’s Kitchen. They also sold more than 2,600 candy canes in just five days, raising about $1,200 for Sophia’s Kitchen as well. Thank you SPS students and families for your support!

For additional photos, see the photo gallery on this website. It will be the album page on the far right in the “service” category.

Third Grade Service

For their service project, third grade helped support our fellow classmates’ annual lemonade stand that raises money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. To help them, we made over 80 bracelets they will sell, promoted the event with a flyer and presentations to students in grades K-2, wrote letters to reach more sponsors, and raised $200 that was then also matched by a local business.

The lemonade stand will officially take place on June 29 from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. in The Knolls neighborhood. Paws Up!