Students across the Blue Springs School District collected 39,054 items for the Blue Springs Community Services League during Community Unity Week, setting a donation record for the long-standing district tradition. The collection comes as the organization faces increased demand from families seeking help.
Every school in the district took part in the effort during a week in September. Schools gathered canned goods, other non-perishable foods, hygiene products and money for the organization. The donated supplies will help keep its shelves stocked through the winter, extending the impact of the collection beyond the week students spent gathering contributions.
Richard Betts, chief development officer for the Community Services League, said the organization typically serves about 20,000 families. This year, that figure has reached 26,000, and the need for assistance has not eased. The school donations arrive as the organization continues responding to that higher level of demand.
Betts said the value of food assistance reaches beyond the groceries families receive. He described seeing people each day who must choose between buying food and covering their rent. Helping them obtain groceries can also help them meet housing costs, he said, making the students' contributions significant for families managing those competing expenses.
Voy Spears Jr. Elementary, Delta Woods Middle School and Blue Springs South High School were the top schools in this year's collection. Their efforts were part of the districtwide participation that produced the record total. Each school will receive yard signs recognizing the work that went into Community Unity Week.
At Blue Springs South High School, teacher Kory Lower said the tradition offers students something beyond the experience of participating in a food drive. Lower hopes occasions such as Community Unity Week remain with students as reminders that there are needs and experiences outside their school walls.
For senior Lea Gage, president of the Blue Springs South High School Student Senate, that lesson came through direct involvement. She helped organize the drive and volunteered, learning from both parts of the process. Gage said knowing the effort was helping others left her feeling good about the work and proud of the people around her who were contributing.
The week brought together that student involvement and practical support for the Community Services League. With winter supplies to maintain and more families turning to the organization, the district's record collection provides food and hygiene items while giving students a direct role in helping their community.
