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Food drive to benefit Agape |
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Monday, 17 November 2008 |
By KATIE YANTIS
Staff Writer
ST. MARYS — Students from St. Marys are helping those in need this season.
The St. Marys School District held a “Battle of the Buildings” canned food drive last week to collect food for families in need.
“It has been great (and) everyone was extremely generous, it’s a good cause,” Memorial High School Assistant Principal Dave Lewis said.
The schools made a donation to Agape with the food that was collected.
“The kids really respond well, they enjoy helping others and that is what we are trying to do,” West Elementary Principal Lisa Elson said.
Throughout the week, the number of cans collected in each building were tallied and then delivered to Agape at the end of the day.
“We had students that volunteered from study hall pick up items and deliver them,” Lewis said.
“We had student council folks that were key in all of this, President of Student Council Kara Cheslock, Abbey Craft, Macy Davis-Ferrall and Karen Schaaf.”
Lewis said the whole drive was a team effort and was a success because of the help of many people.
The winner at the end of the week received a trophy and the highest collector in each building will receive a breakfast party this week.
The trophy will be made by students in the welding program and will be used as a traveling trophy for future competitions.
The winner of the contest was East Elementary with 2,695 items, which equated to 4.7 items per students. West Elementary came in second with 2,055, 4.2 items per student, Memorial High School came in third with 1,519, 2.02 items per student. McBroom Junior High came in fourth with 351 items.
“We are really proud of our kids,” East Principal Sue Sherman said.
Students also were able to bring in money. For every $1 donated, the building received credit for two items.
Combined, the schools donated 5,684 items and $468.
“The students at East (elementary) really get into the spirit of giving, I believe many of them understand the need and want to help in any way they can,” Sherman said. “I believe the competition between buildings is fun but I don’t believe it is the sole reason they donate.”
A number of students volunteered their time to deliver food to Agape during study halls and after school.
Officials at Agape said they were thankful for the food drive.
“It’s overwhelming, its unbelievable,” Agape Director Kathy Bayless said. “We have already fed over 200 individuals with the food that they have given.”
Bayless said Agape is moving into a hard month. Given the influx of donations, Bayless said it should make her job easier.
“We are going to be feeding between 800 and 900 people this month,” Bayless said. “So you can imagine what a blessing this is.”
Cheslock recognized the amount of families her and fellow classmates are helping with the drive.
“I think it is awesome, you know families are not having anything to eat,” Cheslock said.
“I think it is cool when the kids at a young age donate. It is a good thing to start when you are young and keep continuing on as you get older.”
Cheslock said she was happy with the amount of food the students raised.
“It was obviously a good amount of food that was donated and people care enough to do it,” Cheslock said.
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Last Updated ( Friday, 21 November 2008 )
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