Tara Jeffrey/The Independent

It may have been a bit wet and dreary outside, but the students at Brigden Public School sure
brightened things up in the community.

One by one, the students — nearly 200 of them — lined up outside the school to form a ‘chain
of caring,’ crossing the road over to the Little Caring Cupboard at the Brigden United Church Wednesday.

Lambton OPP officers blocked the road so the students could safely transport much needed
food and items they’d been collecting over the past few weeks.

Holiday music played on an outdoor speaker as the kids eagerly passed the items down the
line, dancing and laughing, despite dropping a mitten or two.

“We chose the Little Caring Cupboard because it directly impacts the families of Bridgen,”
Principal Jennifer Gilpin said of the food pantry which opened last year.

The students made announcements and posters to help drum up support for the food drive,
even prompting a friendly competition to earn more points for much needed items like diapers
and hygiene products.

“We’re really impressed, to be honest, with the amount of most-needed items they’ve collected,”
Gilpin added.

Volunteers lined up at the church to receive the items for the pantry, that’s open 24/7 for those in
need.

“It started off slowly, but it’s really well-used now,” said Barb Steadman, one of the organizers of
the community-run pantry.

In total, more than 1,000 items were collected from the school.

“It was so nice to see,” said Steadman. “Really touching.”