SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - On Wednesday afternoon the student council at Sir John Franklin High School presented the Yellowknife Food Bank with a cheque for $10,000 - the total amount students raised during their 31 Hour Famine April 29 and 30.

Nearly 100 students participated in the event, which included a slumber party at the school for everyone that collected over $50 in pledges.

Grade 11 student Kent Nilson was the top earner, raising $471, and there were six other students that raised more than $200.

Dave Ritchie, vice president of the Yellowknife Food Bank, couldn't be happier.

"We have no paid staff, we're all volunteers. We've always had support from Sir John Franklin High School, but this is really fantastic what they've done, going without food for 31 hours."

Last year, students raised about $16,000 during a 30 Hour Famine through World Vision.

Teacher Robyn Stuart said they decided to focus on a local charity this year, acknowledging that there is hunger and poverty happening in Yellowknife too.

She said she also felt it was important to donate locally as her family had to rely on food banks when she was younger.

"It was really important to me to pay back that karmic debt I have."

Currently, the food bank is open twice a month to distribute 150 bags of food.

Ritchie said the $10,000 donation comes at a crucial time, as they have had difficulties making ends meet in recent years with the rising cost of living in Yellowknife and a growing demand.

In addition, they unexpectedly lost their charitable status from Revenue Canada in 2009 after changing addresses.

We welcome your opinions. Click here to e-mail a letter to the editor.