The video above (courtesy BTB Reader Hope Kerkof) shows how 24 students from the 5th grade class at Shorewood Christian School helped out the Highline Area Food Bank on Tuesday, Nov. 25th.

The 5th graders volunteered their time and helped hand out food at the Highline Area Food Bank in Burien.  They came prepared and brought with them a huge collection of stuffed animals to hand out to children at the food bank as well.

Mike Werle, Director of the Burien-Highline Food Bank explained that the food shortage is growing worse:

“Food drives are down and there is less poundage of food coming into the bank.  We’ve had about a 30% increase in the number of people that come in here per day.  The number of people seem to grow daily. The number one reason people are saying they are coming to the food bank is they have been laid off from their jobs.  With the current economic conditions, the food shortage at food banks are expected to grow worse as unemployment rises.”

Nicko Morris, a 5th grade student at Shorewood Christian told about his experience that day: “I like giving because I like to see the smiles on the children’s faces. They looked like they were afraid. But when Emily and I gave our toys to the children, you could tell that they were just filled with joy when they reached for the toy. That’s what we all should do! It’s better to give than to receive.”

Rachelle Kerkof, one of the 5th grade girls in the class, “It was fun to see the kids’ faces when I gave them toys. I really enjoyed this experience.”

Mrs. Mary Lesnett, the 5th grade teacher, explained, “This is our 4th year supporting the Burien- Highline Food Bank.  The kids love to get involved and help others.  The experience impacts them greatly.  I’m sure we will be doing this for many years to come.”

“At Shorewood Christian School, our students are involved on a regular basis with giving back to our community and making a difference in this world.  Our students help at food banks, visit nursing homes, clean up streets and yards, and are always involved in some sort of fundraiser for a cause other than themselves.  These are lessons that these students will carry with them for a lifetime.  We want these students to grow up to become world changers.”, says Tim Lorenz, Principal of Shorewood Christian School.

Shorewood Christian School, a ministry of Shorewood Foursquare Church, is located in West Seattle and is currently enrolling pre-K thru 10th grade for the 2009-2010 school year.  For more information you can go to www.ShorewoodChristianSchool.org.

Volunteering at the food bank is a great project for families, schools, and churches to do together.  Not only will you help someone in need, but as the 5th grade students at Shorewood Christian School would tell you, it will make impact your heart and make you feel good too.

The Burien-Highline Area Food Bank is located at 18300 4th Ave South in Burien (map below); phone: (206) 433-9900

[EDITOR'S NOTE: We at both the B-Town and White Center Blogs strongly urge all Readers to pitch in and help this holiday season, as there are more hungry and needy neighbors than ever before. It's easy to help too – we did it on Saturday Nov. 22nd and raised nearly $1,200 – if we can do it, you certainly can!]

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