By Eric Stevick
Herald Writer
EVERETT — As a community braces for uncertain economic times, when its attention is diverted from the home front to the war front, young people can swivel the focus back to make sure the poor in their midst are not forgotten.
Such is the case at Everett High School, where students accompanied by adults delivered the bounty for Thanksgiving meals and a month’s worth of food to 90 local families Tuesday.
Like many schools in Snohomish County, Everett High School canvassed its community in an annual food drive to help individual families and replenish food bank shelves. Students gathered roughly 30,000 cans of food and $5,000 in less than two weeks.
This year was different for some food-drive veterans.
Justine Stevens, a senior, sensed the struggles of some shoppers as she stood outside a grocery store seeking donations.
"A lot of people said they just didn’t have the money this year," she said. "We had people give a dollar, and literally that’s all they could give."
All of which made the contributions that much more meaningful, several students and school staff members said.
"It’s amazing the community has given as much as it has with everything that is going on in the world," said Bonnie Bielser, an Everett High School activities department secretary and an adviser for leadership class students.
For all the frivolity of class vs. class competitions that are inherent motivators in a food drive, Jamie Lee was reminded about the importance of the work Tuesday. The junior delivered food to area homes.
"They were just extremely happy," he said.
Jo Levin, who graduated from high school in 1977 and now advises the leadership students who organize the food drives, well remembers knocking on doors to deliver food baskets nearly a quarter-century ago.
"It had a big impact on me as a student," she said. "It’s something I still reflect on a lot."
Kelsey Carpenter, president of the school’s service club, which is an offshoot of the leadership class, was impressed with the breadth of students participating.
"It really was the majority of the school," she said.
A friendly dispute has emerged in the wake of the food drive.
A good-natured challenge between teachers David Hastings and Marge Johnson over which of their first-period classes would raise the most food has yet to be resolved. Both classes were prodigious.
At stake in the friendly wager is Hastings mustache, which predates his own high-school-age son, vs. Johnson’s hair, which could take on a blue hue.
Hastings’ junior honors U.S. history class of 27 students collected 5,204 cans and $965. Johnson’s senior honors English class had an even higher total, but some suspect it was aided by other classes wanting to see Hastings upper lip shorn.
Hastings isn’t particularly confident his mustache will last. He planned to bring a razor to school today.
Regardless, he said he is proud of the students for their community service.
"It always amazes me how much they bring in," he said.
You can call Herald Writer Eric Stevick at 425-339-3446
or send e-mail to stevick@heraldnet.com.
MICHAEL O’LEARY / The Herald
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