The Food Bank Of the Rockies and Leadership class are working together to help feed TJ families.
Artwork by Luke DeGregori
On November 2nd the Food Bank Of the Rockies is donating non-perishable food items to TJ, so that the school can help feed TJ families that are in need.
It is no secret that the American economy has been very hard on citizens across the nation, and many families at TJ are in need of help and support, so the Food Bank of the Rockies has reached out and offered to help feed TJ families that are in need. Social worker Samanda Davis is the mastermind behind this idea, and is helping get everything set up with The Food Bank Of the Rockies so this can be a big success in helping feed TJ families that fill out and qualify for financial need. “I am hoping the food drive will bring enough food for the families, so that it can help take the stress off of families for the holidays and in this hard economic time,” said Davis.
Some TJ staff members have offered to pick up the food and bring it here to TJ. Other faculty and students will help divide and bag the food among the families that have qualified to get this donation, and the students or their families can pick up the food or they can request that TJ staff drop off the food to their homes.
The Food Bank of the Rockies will keep generously giving nonperishable food to TJ – they hope for the remainder of school year – and the families can bring their bags back and Samanda Davis and staff will keep refilling the bags as funds and supplies permit. “I felt like this is a great way for families that have problems and really need food to get some help. I like the idea that TJ takes care of TJ,” said Davis. This is also an opportunity for students to get some work experience or volunteer credit that they may need for the year.
Jon Poole’s Leadership class has also offered to assist with feeding TJ families in need for the holidays. They are gathering nonperishable seasonal food for Thanksgiving and Christmas. The group feels that during the holidays it’s the best way to ease a family’s burden by giving them food and allowing them to have a nice holiday dinner. “Holidays are about family and what better way to embrace it than by supporting our TJ family,” stated Poole. “We might not realize how directly TJ is affected by these types of issues, but this is one way the TJ community can help its peers and not only improve the situation for TJ families but bring us closer together,” added Poole.
In an effort to get more students involved, Poole and his leadership class are making this food drive a competition: seniors and freshmen against the juniors and sophomores, and whichever classes have collected the most nonperishable food will win a grand prize. “A canned food drive is a nice way to help those who are less fortunate than us and make sure they are able to enjoy the holidays. It is also is a fun way to add to the relationships we have been building with other grade levels,” stated Senior Anna Becker, who is part of the leadership class.
Students who would like to participate and have any nonperishable food that they would like to donate, or if they would like to help divide and bag the food for families, please go see Samanda Davis or Jon Poole.
