FM Cereal Box Challenge Collects 1,864 Boxes for Feeding Westchester

Fox Meadow Elementary School continued a beloved tradition of service and community spirit on May 29th, collecting 1,864 cereal boxes during its 3rd Annual Cereal Box Challenge in support of Feeding Westchester. The effort brings the school’s three-year total to an impressive 6,274 cereal boxes donated to help Westchester families facing food insecurity.

The highlight of the event came when Fox Meadow’s fifth-grade students transformed the donated cereal boxes into a giant domino chain that stretched throughout the school. Before the boxes were loaded onto a Feeding Westchester delivery truck, students and staff gathered to watch the dramatic domino run wind its way through hallways, stairwells, and across the outdoor blacktop.

“The Cereal Box Domino Run is one of the most highly anticipated community service events of the year,” said Fox Meadow Principal Melissa Feinberg. “It demonstrates to students that one small action has a domino effect in helping others and that together we can make a difference.”

The event also serves as a powerful expression of the Scarsdale School District’s motto, Non Sibi, “not for oneself alone”, bringing students, families, and staff together around a shared commitment to helping others.

The Cereal Box Challenge is part of Fox Meadow’s broader effort to address food insecurity in Westchester County, where one in three households is at risk of hunger, including children, seniors, and working families. Earlier this month, the Fox Meadow PTA hosted a Feeding Westchester community service table at the school fair, where students assembled 162 breakfast kits for local food pantries.

In preparation for the challenge, students brainstormed creative ways to earn cereal boxes through acts of kindness and helpfulness at home. Suggestions included helping with household chores, practicing musical instruments, completing homework early, watering plants, and showing kindness to siblings and relatives.

“The Cereal Box Challenge had a positive impact in our home, sparking extra acts of kindness and giving my kids a sense of excitement about helping others with their contributions,” said Fox Meadow parent Allison Waase.

This year’s challenge was also closely aligned with the school’s academic theme of curiosity and inquiry. Rather than focusing solely on collecting donations, educators encouraged students to explore the underlying causes of hunger and food insecurity in their community.

“The domino run was really just the tip of the iceberg,” organizer Nicole Reichenbach Sahni shared, emphasizing that students spent time learning about hunger in Westchester and examining how young people can contribute to meaningful solutions.

A key factor in the challenge’s success has been the enthusiastic support of school leaders and staff, including administrators, teachers,the librarian, physical education coaches, and School Nurse Cliona Cronin. Widely recognized by students and families as the driving force behind the initiative, Cronin has helped cultivate a school-wide culture of service.

“Nurse Cronin is so kind and passionate about the Cereal Box Challenge,” said third-grader Greyson Withrow. “She cares so much about helping people who don’t have enough money to have a good breakfast like us.”

Fox Meadow parent Christine Chang praised Cronin’s leadership, saying, “Over the past three years, we have been so fortunate to have Nurse Cronin champion this tremendous school-wide effort, bringing together parents, students, and staff and inspiring us all to be part of this collaborative effort.”

The challenge was also notably student-driven. Following a visit from Feeding Westchester representative Danielle Vasquez in March, fifth-grade students researched food insecurity in Westchester and created presentations to educate younger students. They visited classrooms throughout the school, helping peers understand the realities of hunger and the importance of community service.

Fifth-grade teacher Alethea Lynch guided the student-centered learning process, encouraging students to first understand community needs before exploring solutions.

“How do we help students develop their ability to identify and understand an issue before we get to ‘the how’ of addressing it?” Lynch asked.

The Fox Meadow PTA has further supported these efforts by funding the purchase of additional library books focused on food insecurity and community service.

“As a parent, I am deeply inspired by the level of thought, dedication, effort, and commitment that Fox Meadow School has demonstrated to teach students about this important topic,” said Fox Meadow parent and alumna Nicole Reichenbach Sahni. “Not only is the Cereal Box Challenge one of the most beloved events of the school year, but more importantly it provides a shared experience for students to think about others, demonstrating that small, collective acts of community service can together help make a difference. These are vital life lessons that I want my daughter to learn, and I’m grateful to Fox Meadow for leading the way.”

The Fox Meadow PTA also expressed its deep appreciation to the members of the Fox Meadow Compact Committee, whose leadership was instrumental in planning and organizing this year’s Cereal Box Challenge: Melissa Feinberg, Lori Leibowitz, Cliona Cronin, Alethea Lynch, and Christine Stuetz. Their collaborative efforts helped ensure that the event remained focused not only on collecting donations, but also on fostering empathy, learning, and community engagement among students.

As the final cereal boxes tumbled through the school and onto the delivery truck, the challenge once again demonstrated that when a community works together, even small acts can create a powerful chain reaction of positive change.

To learn more about the work of Feeding Westchester, visit the organization's website. 

Individuals, community organizations, and local businesses interested in supporting Fox Meadow’s food insecurity initiatives or exploring partnership opportunities for next year’s Cereal Box Challenge are encouraged to contact the Fox Meadow PTA.