SPOKANE, Wash — When the government shutdown cut SNAP benefits for 43 days, many local families struggled to put food on the table. At Evergreen Elementary, a group of fifth graders learned about that struggle, and it sparked a simple but powerful lesson: treat others the way you want to be treated.
And from that lesson came action. The students decided to start a food drive right in their classroom.
It began with a conversation about food insecurity, led by their teacher, Drew Williams. “It lets them know we actually care,” he said, reflecting on how the discussion inspired the kids to step up.
What started in one classroom quickly spread. Students went from class to class, collecting cans and boxed goods, and soon the entire school joined in.
By the end of the drive, the students had gathered more than 5,000 items for families in need. “I did not expect the overwhelming generosity—not just from students and staff, but from our community,” Williams said.
For the kids, it wasn’t just about the numbers. “Then we can build our community bigger, so everyone has a nice meal, so they don’t go hungry,” said fifth-grader Avery Bolin. Another student Evelyn Adams added, “Everyone will have a meal in our community, so no one feels left out.”
All the food will go straight to Feed Spokane, making sure families not only get a meal but also feel the support of their community.
Today is the last day of the food drive, so if you want to help, bring your canned goods and non-perishable items to Evergreen Elementary at 215 W. Elmore Ave. before the drive wraps up.
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