FLINT, Michigan -- Potter Elementary students are paying it forward to help fight hunger.
The need for food assistance is up more than ever among families at the northeast-side school, but Principal Anthony Sitko says his students are also setting a different, more inspirational record.
Two local churches recently gave Thanksgiving food baskets to the families of 20 Potter students -- and the elementary school responded by collecting a couple hundred food items to be donated to the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan, he said.
The drive, organized by the school's Youth Advisory Council, is an example of a subtle shift the food bank has seen in community service. In these poor economic conditions, kids seem to be understanding at a younger age the concept of helping the less fortunate, especially when they see it first-hand.
Sixth-grader Marissa Ebert, who helped organize the food drive, said her family probably needs some help from time to time. "I wanted to be able to help somebody else," said Marissa, who brought in cans of peas and corn. "I think we helped a lot of people."
Flint Journal extras
Many Flint schools are giving back this holiday season. Here are some examples of their generosity:
• Bryant Elementary: Holding a canned food drive to go toward Thanksgiving food baskets.
• Doyle-Ryder Elementary: Giving away 10 Thanksgiving food baskets.
• Freeman Elementary: Collecting money and canned food for holiday food basket.
• Southwestern Academy: Sponsoring baskets for the needy; Holding a classroom "Adopt-A-Family" project.
Source: Flint School District
Sitko said he often notices that the students who are in need of assistance are seeing that others also need help.
"The demand is up, but the generous giving was also up," he said. "These are tough times and students want to provide support for others who need it."
The food bank recently kicked off its annual month-long fundraising campaign, Face of Hunger. It's goal is to raise $720,000, but food drives like the one at Potter also help the food bank's central mission.
"It shows the real philanthropic nature of our community," said William Kerr, food bank president. "It really is a wonderful example of generosity."
When people think about hunger, they often think of the homeless, Kerr said, but that's usually not the case with many food bank clients.
Many supporters of the food bank have at one point or another needed to use its services, he said. It's evidence that those who need help often feel the need to give back.
"We're not so much a community of haves and have-nots -- we're a community of equals," Kerr said. "Some of us have more than others at certain times and give back."
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