Smith Valley School cancels its food drive

The Daily Inter Lake

In an unfortunate sign of the dismal economy, Smith Valley School canceled its annual food drive this year.

In the past, the student body has sponsored food drives during the holidays, school secretary Charmaine Stappler said.

Classes would compete to bring in the most nonperishable items and the school would take the donations to the Flathead Food Bank.

This year, however, the school decided against holding a food drive, fearing it would put "undue pressure" on families already strapped for cash.

"We realized how many of our own families are having to fall on the food bank as help to get by," Stappler said.

School staffers did institute a new program this year designed to benefit local families. Staff members who wish to wear jeans to school may do so if they bring a canned food item.

The cans go in a bucket decorated to look like a pair of jeans and the food is taken to the food bank, Stappler said.

Families who would like to contribute may put donations in the bucket.

Donations will be accepted until Dec. 17.