Chesterville Public School donated $300 to the FAITH Pantry during the event on June 25. From the left: Reverend Blair Paterson, Teacher Robyn Carriere, Christine Cross-Barkley and Jacqueline Hoogwerf, UCDSB Learning Partner for RWL. Thompson Goddard Photo
CHESTERVILLE – There was plenty of good food, including a celebratory cake, and good company during the FAITH Pantry Picnic on the grounds of Christ Church United (CCU) on June 25. FAITH Pantry representatives were joined by Chesterville Public School (CPS) staff and students as well as some parents of students during the event. The event was the culmination of a year spent by students in Grades 4, 5 and 6 from CPS, working in a Real-World Learning project, in collaboration with the Food Always In The Home (FAITH) Pantry at CCU.
Teacher Robyn Carriere explained in an address to those in attendance how Real-World Learning “embodies hands-on-learning, where students identify meaningful causes, such as our partnership with the FAITH Pantry, and take proactive steps to effect positive change through innovative solutions.”
She mentioned students in Grade 4/5 worked towards their goal of creating “a space of acceptance that would promote a true sense of belonging at the Pantry” during the school year. After building benches for community members to enjoy while in the space, this year students “replanted the garden and honoured traditional Indigenous planting methods by adding a Three Sisters Garden alongside it”, with the space brightened with a painted fence and students designing a new sign.
Students in Grade 5/6 at CPS “took an entrepreneurial focus” designing flyers, a business logo and business cards for the FAITH Pantry, explained Carriere. She noted students sold mason jars filled with soup mixes at the school, at CCU and during Art on The Waterfront to raise money which was donated during the picnic event to FAITH Pantry.
“I don’t have the words to express just how much we appreciate what these students have done for the FAITH Pantry and Garden, and even more than that – how much they have done to show compassion for their community. I hope they will continue this as they move along life’s road.” commented Christine Cross-Barkley in an email to The Record. After wishing those students moving on to middle school all the best, she is looking forward to working with students next year.
Carriere wished to express her thanks to CCU for their participation in this project, to Shane’s Signs in Crysler for making the signs, and to BMR in Winchester who donated plants for the flower garden at the FAITH Garden.
“I feel energized by seeing the kids having been so invested in this throughout the year and taking ownership of the garden and the pantry.” said Reverend Blair Paterson, incumbent of CCU.

Carolyn Thompson Goddard, grew up in Chesterville and attended North Dundas District High School. After completing her BA in Political Science at Carleton University she has worked as a medical secretary and library technician. In 2020 she graduated from Algonquin College with a diploma in Journalism and has been a reporter and column writer for The Chesterville Record for over 10 years.