HOWELL – Students, parents and staff members at the Adelphia School, Route 524, made sure their final community service project of the 2011-12 school year ended on a high note by collecting 10,002 cans of food to benefit the Howell Emergency Food Pantry.

The initial goal for students was to collect 4,444 cans of food, but the goal was eclipsed well before the final amount was tallied on June 1.

Part of the success may be attributable to an incentive for the children. The students were told that if they were successful in reaching their goal by the deadline, their teachers would camp out in front of the school on June 8.

The pupils started collecting nonperishable food items for “The Can Can Camp Out” on May 14. Between 1,000 and 1,500 donations were also accepted on the evening of the campout.

In addition to the staff members spending the night camped out in front of the school, music and games were offered for children and parents that evening.

Children also helped stock the shelves at the food pantry that evening.

According to Debbie Long, head teacher at the Adelphia School, while the evening represented a team effort of teachers, administrators, parents and community leaders, the students were the most energetic advocates.

“It was moving to see the kids so actively involved,” Long said. “Alot of times the kids can’t really do a lot with community service, its more the parent doing it. The kids were running around like little bumblebees collecting the food, putting them in boxes. They were so excited to be helping.”

Monmouth County Freeholder Director John Curley and Howell Mayor Robert Walsh stopped by the camp out to present a proclamation designating June 8 as Adelphia School Day, Long said.

Apart from teachers and administrators, Enid Golden, superintendent of the Howell K-8 School District, and Ronald Sanasac, school district business administrator, also camped out.

The food drive is the latest example of community service projects at the school, which in addition to academic success promotes leadership and community involvement through the Positive Actions Will Shine character education program.

— James McEvoy