Students, faculty, and staff gathered in the Judith Davidson Atrium on Wednesday, April 15, for the Dish Out Kindness Club’s second annual Spring Sandwich Spectacular to make thousands of sandwiches benefiting shelters and community refrigerators across Miami-Dade County.
Held during Community Time, the event aimed to expand the club’s mission of combatting food insecurity beyond a single organization by distributing food to multiple locations through partner networks.
The event was led by the club’s co-presidents, Luiza Padoveze Goncalves ‘27 and Sydney Wider ‘27, along with the club’s executive board, and supported by in-kind donations sponsored by Whole Foods Market and the Caesar-Iglesias Family Foundation, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting people, pets, and the planet.
The Spring Sandwich Spectacular continues the club’s tradition of large-scale service events, following the success of its annual Thanksgiving Drive, which has grown in both participation and impact in the last couple of years.
“In freshman year, we did a version of this event, but it was kind of lackluster,” Padoveze Goncalves said. “We wanted to build on it and really push the mission of fighting food insecurity.”
Students across all grade levels contributed ingredients, including SunButter, nut-free sandwich bread, and jelly, helping the club accommodate dietary restrictions while still maximizing the number of meals produced.
Students worked in groups at different stations around the atrium, spreading SunButter and jelly, sealing sandwiches, and packing them into boxes for distribution, ensuring the process moved as efficiently as possible.
“Last year, we made about 2,400 sandwiches,” Padoveze Goncalves said. “This year, we’re aiming for around 3,000 to 4,000.”
The sandwiches will be distributed through their partnership with the Ceasar-Iglesias Family Foundation, ensuring the meals reach shelters and community refrigerators across the area.
For many students, the event served as a reminder of disparities within their own community.
“At school, we have so many options — the cafeteria, the cafe, the Student Union,” club member Bella Timko said. “Some people don’t even have one meal a day, so it’s important that we help.”
The club’s faculty sponsor, Gina Peláez, said the event represents the importance of recognizing privilege and paying it forward.
“We’re so blessed, and sometimes we forget how much we have and how little other people do, so this is a nice opportunity for everyone to come together and give back,” Peláez said.
Through events like the Spring Sandwich Spectacular and its annual Thanksgiving Drive, Dish Out Kindness continues to expand its impact, addressing food insecurity while strengthening community at the Upper School campus.
