For the past two years, Sanford Middle School in Minneapolis, Minnesota, has used funding from Random Acts to host a community service day. Students in sixth to eighth grade completed service in action as a final activity for the school year. In 2024, 180 students participated. In 2025, more than 250 students were involved. They carried out different acts of kindness, benefitting the environment and local nonprofits that address health, housing, and food inequity.
The Sandwich Project
One of the student activities was to make sandwiches for The Sandwich Project of Minnesota. This organization coordinates donations of sandwiches to local food pantries. A student made the very touching comment that by doing the activity, “I learned that I like to take care of people.” Students made over 400 sandwiches for the 2025 service day.
Seed Bombs
Another activity was the creation of seed bombs, which are small balls made up of seeds, fertilizer, and soil. The students were able to learn about native plant species and their importance for pollinators. The seed bombs were distributed around the community, whether at students’ homes or in the school’s rain garden. For instructions to make your own seed bombs, just follow this link. Teacher Keven Tell said, “Doing stations like the seed bombs really helped give diverse experiences to students on what service can look like.”
Birthday Bags
A popular station was the “birthday party in a bag” activity. Students assembled bags with cake mix, frosting, candles, plates & napkins, decorations, favors, and birthday cards. The bags were donated to the Division of Indian Work food shelf. Students were eager to create the bags, and one youngster reflected, “It was fun cause I got to make something for a kid that might not be able to afford that or really has not had a birthday.” Students also put together 1200 snack packs for the food shelf.
Hygiene Kits
Avivo is an organization that provides shelter and housing support, health services, and employment services. YouthLink serves youth ages 16-24 who face housing insecurity. One of the top items on the donation list for both organizations was hygiene supplies, and Sanford found a way to help. Students assembled kits containing the much needed hygiene items for donation to local shelters. One student said this was their favorite activity, commenting, “It shows we as a school care for the community.” The students assembled more than 300 kits in 2024 and 2025.
Housing Aid
Bridging is an organization that assists families as they transition into stable housing, providing furnishings and household items. Sanford students created 144 packs of kitchen utensils and built seven dressers to donate. Teacher Libby O’Connell said, “The staff at Bridging were excited that we had 11–14-year-old kids doing service and teaching them about acts of kindness in our community.”
Blankets
Sanford students also created 15 tie-fringe blankets to donate to the local children’s hospital. The hospital was so appreciative that they responded with t-shirts for the students.
Sanford Middle School’s community days have had a great impact, not only on the recipients, but on the givers themselves. Teacher Jenny Pilon said, “We really felt that we made a difference with our donations and were pleased that the student reflections showed that they also felt that they made a difference.” That impact will continue, as Sanford hopes to make each community day even better than the last.
Local Acts Add up to Global Good
At Random Acts, our mission is to fund acts of kindness, both large and small. Do you have an idea for an act of kindness in your own community? Contact your local Random Acts Regional Representative for information on Sponsored Acts or any other help you need to turn your idea into a reality.
