With Project Give Back, students in grade 4, 5 and 6 learn about how to make a difference in the lives of others.
Participating students first select a charity of their choice. In the three parts of the program, they research the charity and present findings to their class, plan and implement a hands-on “FUNraiser” to demonstrate a unique aspect of their charity, and write a letter to the charity outlining their project.
Students Leo and Olivia attend schools in the Toronto area. Both chose Food Allergy Canada as their charity for Project Give Back during the 2023/24 school year. Read our interviews with them to learn more about their projects and what they want other kids with food allergy to know.
Why did you choose Food Allergy Canada for your project?
Leo: I felt really connected to the organization because I have had an allergy since I was 6 months old. Food Allergy Canada raises awareness and educates people across the country about food allergy.
Olivia: I chose your charity because my brother has serious allergies to cashews and pistachio nuts, he’s at risk of anaphylaxis. I wanted to help show my support to him and learn more about what he goes through.
What activity did you do to help your classmates better understand food allergy?
Leo: I provided students with baskets of toy/plastic food. Each basket contained various food allergens that students needed to identify, such as eggs, wheat, nuts, milk, and fish, and chicken too. The class had so much fun shopping with their baskets and even identified some items, like pizza, with multiple allergens (wheat, milk).
Olivia: I did a speech and made a big poster. I also did a game with baskets and balls. For the game, I asked my classmates each one question that I mentioned in my speech and the two people who answered correctly got to throw the balls in the baskets. It was really fun! We did ten rounds.
How did your classmates respond to your activity/presentation?
Leo: My friends were so engaged in my presentation and asked lots of thoughtful questions about food allergy and my personal experiences about living with an allergy. They wanted to better understand what they can do to keep me and those with food allergy safe. I think they felt empowered by the information I shared.
Olivia: My speech and game spread so much awareness and now my whole class knows more about food allergies and your charity. I also taught my class how to use an EpiPen® for treating anaphylaxis.
What would you like other kids with food allergy to know?
Leo: Living with a food allergy makes you special, and it’s an obstacle that you can successfully navigate. People are very supportive and want to help keep you safe. Having an allergy shouldn’t hold you back from travelling and trying new things. I even travelled to Costa Rica, where I learned to communicate my allergy in Spanish.
Olivia: Having a food allergy is very hard. Food Allergy Canada helps people learn more about food allergy and makes the world a safer place. Thank you and keep up the great work!
Additionally, Leo was inspired to share his learnings with his brother’s JK class. He said: “The JK class actually had a lot of food allergies, so it was very important for me to share my knowledge and help raise awareness. I wanted to teach the class how to support their friends with food allergy and keep them safe.”
My brother Wesley said, “I loved having my brother in my class teaching my friends about allergies.”
Thanks Leo and Olivia for educating your classmates and others, and raising food allergy awareness at your schools. You are #FoodAllergyChampions!
Tags: Project Give Back