Inspired by Pope Francis HFCA's kNOw Hunger Campaign Sets Record

Pope Francis' historic visit to the United States provided a perfect backdrop to Holy Family Catholic

Academy's annual kNOw Hunger Campaign. Witnessing Pope Francis' servant leadership in ministering to the poor and marginalized was a powerful message to the students.

HFCA Principal, Kate O'Brien explained, "Our school motto calls us to be leaders and thinkers grounded in faith. Pope Francis reinforced that we are all called, no matter our age, to learn about important issues, seek to affect change, and respond to people in need by being the hands and feet of Jesus."

To many, the blending of learning with Catholic Social Teachings sets Holy Family Catholic Academy apart. HFCA has recently been accepted as a Candidate in the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme. While Candidate status gives no guarantee that authorization status will be granted, HFCA has adopted the IB Learner Profile, a lifelong, holistic vision of education. This vision is clearly aligned with the school's faith-based education and complements Catholic values, morals and principles. Consistent with other aspects of the curriculum, HFCA teachers interpreted the IB Learner Profile in a manner appropriate to the age and development of the students, and intentionally wove these attributes into their study on hunger.

Meg Garcia of Kildeer, parent of Meredith (4th grade) and Grace (1st grade) states, "I love how our daughters spend time in class learning about hunger and then move to action with the school's Scavenger Hunt for the Hungry." The Scavenger Hunt for the Hungry, which asks students to collect food from friends and neighbors to support Catholic Charities, is the culmination of the kNOw Hunger Campaign. This year, HFCA set an all school record and donated an estimated 10,000 pounds of food to Catholic Charities.

Principal Kate O'Brien concludes, "as educators, we are delighted to see that the learning and call to

action does not end with our annual food collection. Middle school students who studied food waste

are interested in championing the effort to turn cafeteria waste into compost. These students are applying their thinking skills to approach a complex issue, and modeling Pope Francis, they are becoming servant leaders empowered to make a difference."