Never underestimate the power of third-graders.  I learned that lesson recently when Fishers Deputy Mayor Leah McGrath told me, in a Podcast interview, about a group of local third-grade students’ involvement in formulating a city comprehensive plan.

You would think students in third grade would have little interest in something like land use policy.  But McGrath explained how those youngsters quickly picked up the concept and had some real, substantial discussions about how the city should establish rules on how people are allowed to use land.

Another group of third-graders is taking on the problem of hunger.  Although Fishers is known as a generally wealthy suburb of Indianapolis, the Brooks School Road Elementary students decided to take on the issue of local hunger.

This is the second year in a row that third-graders in Mrs. Kelly Stewart’s class have taken on the hunger issue.  Last year, the students helped 11,000 families.

This year, you can help out.  There will be an Open House and Food Donation center set up at the United Methodist Church,  9691 East 116th Street (just east of I-69), 5-7pm, Friday, April 29th.

The top five needs are:

Peanut Butter

Jelly

Pop Tarts

Mac & Cheese/Pasta

Crackers

You can view the third-graders video above.  After all, in this day and age, how can you run any program without a good YouTube video?