Students help out classmates in need

As the holidays approach, Garfield Elementary School’s Student Council sought out to help those of their classmates who may be in need.

The youngsters chose to do this by running a nonperishable food drive from Nov. 27 to Dec. 13 at the school located at 200 W. 31st. St. in Lorain.

Alecia DiSilvester, a teacher and adviser to the Student Council, said this was the students’ idea.

DiSilvester said the students were not giving to local food banks, “but we’re supporting our Garfield families.”

Once the food was collected, the students gathered to separate the items into 14 separate boxes for 14 families that can use the help at this time of year.

DiSilvester said the families were chosen by Garfield’s

staff.

“We asked teachers are there some students in your room that would definitely benefit from this” she said.

“The principal is very familiar with these families and I think the janitor is as well.”

Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio

will sometimes drop off care packages at the school for the families, DiSilvester said.

A collection also was taken from the staff to purchase the ingredients to make a full holiday dinner from Apples grocery store, she said. The staff collected $200, which was matched by the store.

“They matched our $200 and they’re putting together ham, potatoes and all kind of things,” DiSilvester said.

Along with the box of nonperishable foods, DiSilvester said she will present families with a voucher they can return to the store and receive the perishable items.

Saniya McGill, 11, of Lorain, a fifth-grader and member of the Student Council, said it’s good for families to have food around the holidays because it is a key part of the festivities.

“When you get around your family, it’s nice to have a meal and just play and eat and talk about your day and what you’re going to do,” Saniya said. “It’s good to have a really good feast before the holiday’s over, because then you have to wait another year for it.”

“When you get around your family, it’s nice to have a meal and just play and eat and talk about your day and what you’re going to do,” Saniya said. “It’s good to have a really good feast before the holiday’s over, because then you have to wait another year for it.” — Saniya McGill, 11, of Lorain, a fifth-grader and member of the Student Council.

ERIC BONZAR — THE MORNING JOURNAL Garfield Elementary School fifth graders and Student Council members Alex Christian, 11, and Jordana Torres, 10, package canned goods and nonperishable food items Dec. 13, that were collected for classmates in need.