iQ Academy Students Give Back at Thanksgiving Food Drive 

On November 14th, iQ Academy hosted its iQ Cares Thanksgiving Food Drive at iPlay Arcade in Glendale. The event brought together students, families, and the community to support local families in need. Benefiting the Salvation Army’s Glendale chapter, the drive highlighted iQ Academy’s commitment to teaching students the value of giving back while fostering meaningful connections. 

Students brought nonperishable food items to donate and then spent time at the arcade with their friends. For many, it was a chance to see firsthand how their actions could positively impact others. 

For 10th-grader Kimberly, the highlight of the day was seeing how much everyone contributed. “My favorite part of the event was donating and seeing all the different items other students donated to the community,” she said. Kimberly also cherished the opportunity to interact with classmates and teachers in person. “Meeting classmates and teachers face-to-face was a nice, fun, enjoyable experience. Having my school organize a day to come together for a good cause made me feel glad to be a part of my school environment.” She added that her family felt just as inspired by the event. “My family was very happy to participate in the event, especially to help the community!” 

Joel, an iQ 9^thgrader, found the event both rewarding and fun. “My favorite part about the food drive was the arcade since I had a fun time with my friends,” he shared. Joel appreciated how the event reflected the school’s attention to its students. “It makes me feel good that the school cares about our mental health. This event made me feel more comfortable with friends.” 

Both Kimberly and Joel agreed that the Thanksgiving Food Drive created a stronger bond with their school community. “This event helped me feel more connected to my school and classmates because I got to meet and see how similar we all are,” said Kimberly. Joel added that he learned more about his classmates by asking about their reasons for choosing online school and other topics. 

Kimberly encouraged other families to participate in future events, saying, “It’s a wonderful opportunity to meet and be more involved with the school community. It’s fun for the students and very social, helping us make more friends!” Joel shared similar sentiments, recommending that students and families “try it out” because events like this are both enjoyable and meaningful. 

This year’s food drive collected 40 containers of food, which were delivered to The Salvation Army Food Pantry. Beyond the donations, the event brought the iQ Academy community closer together, strengthening relationships among students, families, and staff. It was a meaningful day that highlighted the power of unity and the joy of giving back.