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It's fifth period at Central Valley High School and the caravan of food has
begun.
Sophomores, juniors and seniors in the school's leadership program
are scurrying about the classroom of Leanne Donley, a freshman language arts teacher,
hauling in containers of food from across campus and counting the day's donated
items.
Those who participate in the collection process understand that
time is of the essence. A truck from the Valley Food Bank will be at the school
in a matter of minutes.
On an average day, Central Valley will gather
about 5,000 pounds of food and collect somewhere around $1,000. On the last day
of the drive this week, the addition of produce will likely run the day's total
to approximately 20,000 pounds.
Beyond the competition of classes and
the prizes that follow, kids here seem to realize that the tabulation of food
means making a genuine difference.
"We're learning that it's important
to care about people in our community," said Lindsey Tomlinson, a senior
who serves as the activities coordinator for the leadership program.
The
food drive at Central Valley is part of a regionwide effort sponsored by KHQ-TV.
Schools throughout the Central Valley School District take part in the event which
officially began on Nov. 1 and runs through Nov. 24.
At Central Valley
High School, Donley said the drive "began to change focus" in the autumn
of 1996. Prior to that time, only a handful of classes contributed to the cause.
"It
was at that point that we started making it about the people who needed help,"
Donley said.
Spearheaded by the senior class of 1997, the food drive
of '96 generated 8,000 pounds of food. The following year it was 10,000. Each
subsequent drive meant added donations. In 2002, the school collected a record
135,000 pounds of food.
Donley, who serves as leadership advisor and
has taught at Central Valley since 1994, said the event demonstrates how students
can rally to help a good cause.
"Nobody brags about it," she
said. "It just gets done. It's humble giving and it's just amazing."
Each
year, the drive starts out with an enthusiastic school assembly. Just in case
students might place individual recognition above the real purpose of the program,
Central Valley Principal Mike Hittle offered this reminder.
"It's
about the people - not the plaque," he said.
In 2005, the final
count of 32,000 pounds was affected by various fund-raising causes that benefited
those affected by Hurricane Katrina. This year, Central Valley has set a goal
of 50,000 pounds.
Senior Matt Picard was one of a number of CVHS students
to take news of the drive to local grocery stores. Shoppers were asked to contribute
canned goods and non-perishable items as they made their way through the aisles.
"It's
rewarding to know that I'm helping people out," Picard said.
Ken
Briggs, executive director and CEO of the Spokane
Valley Community Center and Valley Food Bank - a program that also serves
as a Second Harvest Emergency Food Outlet, said local students have made a significant
difference through various food drives.
"They've done an outstanding
job," Briggs said.
In addition to the high school's ongoing efforts,
students at Central Valley's five middle schools helped add to the shelves at
the Valley Food Bank last weekend. Overall, Bowdish, Evergreeen, Greenacres, Horizon
and North Pines Middle Schools collected over 17,000 pounds of food and raised
$822 in donations.
Barbara Bennett, director of the Valley Food Bank,
said events like the middle school food drive provide students with a "valuable
connection to the community," presenting leadership opportunities and establishing
a foundation that emphasizes helping others.
"It's really important
that middle school kids get involved," Bennett said. "It shows them
that there are people who are needy and things they can do to help."
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By
Craig Howard
