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| Charity with a competitive flair |
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| Education | |||
| Written by Aaron Cedeño | |||
| Wednesday, 02 December 2009 08:00 | |||
By Mike Steck’s way of thinking, kids aren’t getting the credit they deserve.  As a volunteer at Agape Food Pantry, Steck sees it all the time — the power kids have to enact positive change in the community and how many of them are putting those powers to good use each and every day. “I think they’re probably critical to the success of what we’re able to do,” he said of youth organizations in Louisburg. Take, for example, Broadmoor Elementary School. Its annual food drive officially began Nov. 20, but even before then, food items began trickling in — a can of green beans here, a few boxes of macaroni there. Today, with more than a week remaining in the drive, what was at first a small pile of food is becoming a veritable mountain, as classes compete for that pinnacle of all elementary-school prizes: a pizza party. “They’ll do anything for a pizza party,” Broadmoor Principal Chris McLean said with a laugh. The fact of the matter is, McLean said, he’s not surprised in the least at how much food his students have managed to gather already. “I would be, but knowing the kids in the families here, they rally behind everything and support pretty much everything you do,” he explained. “It goes to local families in a time of need that we have right now.” Agape Food Pantry provides food to families in need within roughly the same boundaries as Louisburg USD 416, so many student groups make an effort to donate throughout the year. Recently, Louisburg High School’s LEOs Club — a student service club — decided to trick-or-treat for canned goods on Halloween and brought in several carloads of food. Because kids attack these projects with such enthusiasm, Steck said, they frequently go home and tell their parents. What started as a food drive promoted by 400 students suddenly becomes one involving hundreds of parents and grandparents as well. Publicity of that quality and scope is something the pantry never could achieve on its own, he noted, and it has a lasting effect on everyone involved. “Once you involve the community, you raise awareness, and then you can fight the fight on more than one front,” Steck said. “People become involved, and they realize there’s more charitable giving needed.” “I think charity says a lot about your character,” McLean added. “It’s a good lesson, and I think it’s one where these kids are realizing more and more that they know people in need. It’s going to local people, too, and I think it means a lot to the community. They like to help out their own.” The Broadmoor Elementary School food drive will run until Dec. 11, at which point all proceeds will be donated to Agape Food Pantry.
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