Spreading Holiday Cheer: Amelia Earhart partners with Kadena Commissary and local food pantry

Kadena Air Base, Okinawa – This Thanksgiving season, the fourth grade team at Amelia Earhart Intermediate School is combining creativity and compassion in a meaningful community initiative. In partnership with the Kadena Commissary and the Kadena Food Pantry, students are decorating paper grocery bags with festive themes of Thanksgiving, fall, and community—transforming everyday items into heartfelt messages of hope.

Each student received one or two paper bags to take home and decorate over the long weekend. These bags will be used by the commissary to package food items to buy to donate to the food pantry, adding a personal and joyful touch to the meal items distributed this holiday season. The colorful designs not only brighten the recipients’ day but also serve as a reminder that their community cares.

This project is more than just an art activity—it’s a lesson in empathy, generosity, and civic engagement. Through their artwork, students are helping raise awareness about food insecurity and the importance of supporting one another during the holidays. The Kadena Commissary’s support in this effort highlights the power of local partnerships in making a real difference.

Amelia Earhart’s fourth graders are proud to be part of this initiative and excited to see their creativity contribute to a cause that touches lives across the community.