Lakeland Christian students, staff and parents spent Wednesday afternoon sorting collected food that now stocks the shelves of the Combined Community Services food pantry.
LCA’s eighth annual CCS food drive was Monday through Wednesday and 14,000 pounds of food were collected.
LCA students, faculty and staff Monday left paper grocery bags with bright pink information fliers about the food drive on doorsteps in Winona Lake.
The students spent Wednesday collecting the food then sorting it at CCS.
Carmen Flores, Lakeland Christian food drive organizer and guidance counselor, said there were 130 students grades 7 to 12, as well as 20 staff members and parents and grandparents who participated in the sorting.
“We are about whole-person education at Lakeland, it’s not just about academics. This teaches them to be a productive member of their community and teaches them to give back to others and that they have a responsibility to their fellow man and it’s not just about getting things for themselves, but giving to others,” Flores said.
Flores said it’s a good learning experience for the students because they are learning about food choices, sorting, categorizing and organizational skills.
Flores said there were 13,800 pounds of food collected last year for CCS.
Some of the items collected this year included cereal, juices, canned fruits and vegetables, boxed meals, pasta and peanut butter and jelly.
LCA students said they were glad to assist with the sorting efforts.
Abby Fruth, a sophomore at Lakeland, said is was her second year for participating in the collection effort.
“I like passing the bags out and picking them up and it’s a great way to help CCS and is a good cause for people who don’t have food or enough money for food,” Fruth said.
Noah Twomboy, a sophomore at Lakeland, said it was his third year for participating.
“I enjoy being able to help the community and I’m glad our school does this and that we can help the families who need this food,” Twomboy said.
Lydia Crouse, a junior at Lakeland, said it was her first year for participating.
“I really enjoyed being with everyone and hope the families will appreciate this and see God through this,” Crouse said.
Peggi Lisenbee-Wright, CCS director of client assistance, said the food collection effort is important to help the organization meet its clients’ needs.
“Now that school has started, parents are packing school lunches and trying to make sure kids are taken care of in cold weather and we are getting food donations at a time when donations aren’t as high in late summer and early fall,” Lisenbee-Wright said. “There are a variety of healthy foods that stocks us up.”
Lisenbee-Wright thanked the community for their donations and Lakeland’s stocking help. “Never in the 17 years that I have been here has our community not helped us take care of our neighbors.”
She said the face of poverty has changed over the last seven to eight years, whether it’s a neighbor who lost a job or a major illness in a family that prevents them from working.
Bill Leslie, CCS pantry co-supervisor, said during the winter months many clients get hungry and the food is needed for them.
“We love the help with stocking and love having the kids here,” Leslie said.
(Story By The Times Union)
