Trinity Lutheran Students Feed a Need

Here's a class project with class.

Fourth-graders at Trinity Lutheran Church and School recently spent a couple mornings helping local children by filling backpacks — with food.

The Utica school’s students headed to Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan, based in Warren, to do their part for the Kids Helping Kids program.

Youngsters from both Trinity fourth-grade classes plus their teachers and a number of parent volunteers lent time and labor to pack 2,500 pounds of food — including beans, oatmeal, corn, apples, milk and stew — for Gleaners.

It's assistance that's sorely needed, as Gleaners shares that more than 250,000 area children receive two or their three daily meals at school, while on weekends many tend to go hungry. Gleaners works with local schools to provide 5-lb. bags of food for program children to take home, which provides approximately six meals for each child.

Trinity fourth-grade teacher Wendy Hawkins said the project was a perfect fit for her students and the school's goal to have every class participate in service projects this year, part of its “Nerve to Serve” mission.

"Students need the oppportunity to get involved to help others," Hawkins said. "They can work and see how that can help someone else. (Today) a little work went a long way. We were mean packing machines." 
 

Students shared Hawkins’ enthusiasm. "It was a fun experience. I'd do it everyday if I could,” said Mackenzie Veatch. “It is amazing what we did and how much we got done.”

Once Trinity’s fourth-graders returned from Gleaners, they were energized and eager to help with other community projects. Suggestions included donating clothing and helping at the Salvation Army.

Whatever they choose to do next, there’s a bigger reason behind it all, according to fourth-grader Justin Goodrich: "The Bible wants us to not just care about other people who are in need, but do something about it, too. "  
 

For more information on Trinity Lutheran School, contact Carol Reschke, Media Liasion at creschke1@yahoo.com or visit www.trinityutica.com. For more information on Gleaners Community Food Bank and the Kids Helping Kids program visit www.gcfb.org.