April 19, 2013

The beginning of April can be a crazy time at Grace Lutheran Middle School in Pocatello. The 7^th graders take a trip to Salt Lake City to study many of the fine arts and some of our 8^th graders travel to Washington D.C. to learn about our country’s history. At the same time, however, some of our 8^th graders and all of our 6^th graders still occupy the hallways of GLS. In an attempt to keep these students busy and provide valuable learning experiences for them with a different teaching population present, we usually try to plan events within the community. This year, they were able to scuba dive, rock climb, learn gymnastics, experiment at the ISU craft shop, and serve at The Idaho Foodbank. Where most of these activities were new ones to the majority of our students, most of the post-trip feedback was related to The Idaho Foodbank. Students talked about the great experience they had there and that it felt “so amazing to help other people” (Liz, 6^th grade). One student even commented:

“It was surprising to hear how many children go hungry in our community each weekend. It really gives me an idea as to how fortunate I am. Serving at the food bank gave me a chance to give back to my community; even it was through the sorting of moldy oranges.”

(Lillee, 6^th grade)

At the Foodbank, students were given a tour in which they learned about how food is collected and distributed within our state. It surprised many of them and provoked a desire to help more frequently. In addition, students participated in two major servant projects. Some groups helped fill bags for the local backpack program and others sorted oranges. In each of the projects, students were eager to work and set goals about how much they could get accomplished. It was great to see their ambition and sense of accomplishment when they finished a task.

We would like to extend our gratitude to The Idaho Foodbank for allowing us to serve. We hope we can do more in the future.

Katie Grant

Grace Lutheran School

Pocatello

Kyle Hansen, Kasi Beorchia, David Wilson and Nicole Roseberg from Chi Sigma Iota.

Thank you so much for allowing us to volunteer. The four of us representing the Chi Sigma Iota counseling honor society on Idaho State University’s campus had a great time volunteering at The Idaho Foodbank.

I know personally I can pinpoint difficulties in my own life, and taking time out to help others by sorting food really put my life into perspective. I am blessed with fresh, healthy food and good jobs that help put the food on my table. It saddens me to know that children and many others in Idaho do not have even the basic necessities like good food. Thank heavens for the Foodbank and other groups that help take care of so many.

This particular experience was fun, well-managed, eye-opening, and refreshing. I couldn’t think of a better way to spend the hour than to volunteer with one another and work to help the children in our beautiful Pocatello community.

Last fall Chi Sigma Iota did a food drive and collected well over 400 items. We just finished another food drive and can’t wait to drop off the boxes this week. We love The Idaho Foodbank and look forward to partnering with you in the future.

Thank you!

Kasi Beorchia