Sixth graders from Highland Elementary School went shopping Thursday morning at Hugo’s and Walmart for the Community Christmas Food Baskets. Students collected $1,352.39 including a $400 donation from the Highland PTO. They split into groups of five or six this morning and got practical experience shopping on a budget and trying to find the best deal.
Timothy Bruley talked about the experience and what he learned. “We were shopping, we bought canned foods, noodles, and others,” said Bruley adding, “helping others is good.”
Jack Everett said his group ended up $5 short of their budget and that helping families in need is a good thing to do. “We shopped for food for families in need like ramen noodles, cereal, canned foods, stuff like that,” said Everett. “We had $50 and spent $45. Helping families and community is a good thing to do.”
Kaylie Clauson said it was a good experience and that she now knows there is a reason her mom says no when she asks for things in the store. “We went to Walmart and bought food for helping people, it was a good experience,” said Clauson. “1 learned that when I go to the store and ask my mom for things now, I know why.”
Georgia Sanders group only had spare change left after their trip to the store and she learned how stressful shopping is. “We went to Walmart and had a budget to see how much we could buy for people. We had $70 and spent $69.51, so we were only 50 cents off,” said Sanders. “When I go to the sore with my mom and she always says no, now I know why. It’s so stressful going shopping and everyone’s like we should buy this, we should buy this.
Staff talked with the kids leading up to the shopping trip about volunteering in the community and donating to those less fortunate hoping they get an appreciation of the value of donating time and helping others in need.
The Community Christmas Food Basket Committee is looking for volunteers to help put the baskets together tonight at 6:00 p.m. at the Armory and for volunteers to show up Saturday at 8:30 a.m. at the armory to help deliver the baskets.
