It started with a big bag of leftover Halloween candy.

Not wanting the temptation, I lugged it to the school one block from my house, certain my offer would be warmly received. “Not for the kids!” the office manager said with mock horror. The last thing the kids needed was more sugar.

But the school had other needs. Like food to get some of their preschoolers and kindergartners through the weekends.

So, I signed up to shop for and fill food bags.

Like many things, it started small. Just me and one other volunteer, a mother whose child attended The Family School, trading weeks on what we called bag duty. The school is a nonprofit that serves a diverse population of children from preschool through kindergarten.

Word spread, and soon our ranks grew.

A retired neighbor religiously clipped coupons and shopped deals to stock the pantry........

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