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Food Pantry is a Community Effort

Waimea Country School’s 4th and 5th grade students have learned a new lesson—how to pack a food supply box—as part of a year-long community service project volunteering at the food pantry. The students began by carrying donations from their school ohana and the parishioners of Saint James Episcopal church over to the food pantry at Annunciation Catholic Church. Reverend Tony Litwinski of St. James Church said, “All of us on Saint James’ Circle want to make this community a better place.” At the food pantry, the students spent an hour with director Ann Lum learning what tasks they will be performing when they begin volunteering weekly.

Waimea Country School’s Head of School Amy Salling states, “Providing this service opportunity for our students is an important part of our school mission to address the needs of the whole child. Students learn compassion and empathy by making a purposeful effort over time rather than doing a one-day service. This is meaningful work.”

Two student volunteers at a time will bag rice, sort canned goods, pack and distribute supply boxes, and so on. Student Owen Matsuda learned that “people who need food can come on Tuesdays from 9:30 - 11:30. They don't give out a lot of food—only about 12 cans and one 5 lb. bag of rice—but we need to help them so they can stay healthy." Lum was impressed with her new volunteers and commented, “I think the kids are excited about this hands-on, grown-up project.” Ten year old Romilly Benedict confirmed that sentiment when she said, “I'm looking forward to working at the food pantry." In fact, students will be giving up some of their recess time each month when it's their turn at the food pantry, but they are willing to do it.

The food pantry is an emergency stop gap which serves over 900 people a month. Recipients are asked to only pick up food once a month, and Lum notes that the food pantry “serves a variety of people who come here for a variety of reasons.” The food pantry receives not only food and monetary donations, but also fresh produce from farmers, hobbyists, and home-school gleaners. Waimea County School plans to tie their school garden program into the food pantry service project which will allow the students in all grades, their parents and teachers to be involved. Salling says, “We are proud to provide relevant service opportunities for our students while strengthening community connections.”

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