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Food bank first to benefit from student project

Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Published Wednesday, November 7, 2007

RANKIN INLET - Grade 3 students at Leo Ussak elementary school in Rankin Inlet helped out a local organization earlier than expected this past week.

NNSL Photo/Graphic

Grade 3 students Griffin Ford and Linda Howard present Kathleen Irwin with a $100 donation to the Deacon Cupboard's Food Bank at Leo Ussak elementary school in Rankin Inlet this past week. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

The kids got involved in Rankin's recycling program shortly after the school year began, and originally planned to raise enough money for a pizza party on Halloween.

Then they decided to donate their recycling money to a worthy cause in their community.

Teacher Amanda McLarty said Angela Dale of the Northern store helped speed up the process when she found out what the kids were doing.

"When she (Dale) found out what we were doing, she started donating cans to the kids," said McLarty.

"Then she approached us and said if the kids would donate their recycle money to a local organization, she would donate the pizzas for the party.

"So, we donated $100 to the Deacon's Cupboard Food Bank and the Northern donated 14 pizzas for our party."

McLarty said the teachers talked to the students about what the deal meant for helping out in the community.

She said after they talked about it, the kids understood that this was more than just free pizza and felt proud to be able to help out those in need in their community.

"We had one little boy talk about the food bank and how it helps families who are struggling a bit right now.

"He actually had a fairly good understanding of how important the Deacon's Cupboard is to the community and told the other students it really makes a difference.

"That made all of them feel good about their efforts to recycle the cans.

"They got pretty excited about the whole thing."

McLarty said the teachers will now put a list together of other organizations in town, and the kids will vote on which one they want to help with the next segment of their recycling program.

She said their goal is to make one more donation before Christmas and then see where things go in 2008.

"We'd like to raise another $100 and then reward the kids by having something small at the school like popcorn and a movie.

"We started out just wanting to help keep our town clean and have a pizza party at the school.

"But now it's all about what the kids can do to help the community through the recycling project and that's been a wonderful transition to see happen with the kids.

"We really appreciate the Northern's pizza donation because it helped increase our school spirit and the sense of camaraderie between our Grade 3 students."