Derrick Miller
Children go hungry throughout the world, but a local group of students did what it could to make sure Duncan children would have something to eat.
The Duncan High School Multicultural Club worked to raise money for the Food 4 Kids program. Four of the club members even went into the community to help garner more funds for the program. In all the club raised more than $1,000.
The Food 4 Kids program provides elementary students with a backpack of food for the weekend to help reduce hunger. Students who receive a backpack do so because of a teacher recommendation. The program is through the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma.
Amanda Yates, Multicultural Club advisor, said, “Before I came here, I worked in an elementary school. I was really impressed with the program.
“I wanted to make it our service project. How can you do anything if you’re hungry?”
In Stephens County, 264 students participate in the Food 4 Kids program. In Duncan, the program helps 40 students at Mark Twain, 56 at Emerson, 61 at Woodrow Wilson, 19 at Will Rogers Pre-Kindergarten and 20 at Horace Mann. Other students taking part in the program include 36 at Marlow Elementary and 32 at Comanche Elementary. It costs about $200 to provide one child with a backpack of food throughout the school year.
Yates said all the money raised by the club will go to help local children.
Club member Toni Montelongo led the fundraising efforts in the community. Montelongo, along with three other members, spent 2 1/2 hours outside a store to see how much people would be willing to donate to the program.
By the end of the period, the students raised $600. The other students were Annie Brady, Miriam Huizar and Amanda Owens.
Montelongo said she was excited about the project because it gave the club members a chance to do something for other people.
“I came from El Paso, (Texas), and I always saw kids who didn’t have a lot,” Montelongo said. “It makes you sad when you see kids who don’t have food.”
She said she was happy with how the fundraiser turned out.
“It’s really good,” Montelongo said. “It’s nice to know you raised money for a good cause.”
Rodney Bivens, Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma executive director, said he was impressed with the club’s hard work.
“We know that children living in poverty have to do without a lot of things,” Bivens said. “We just don’t believe food should be one of them.
“We thank the Duncan High School Multicultural Club for taking the initiative to collect donations to help feed hungry Oklahoman children through Food 4 Kids.”
— Derrick Miller is a reporter for The Duncan Banner. He can be reached at 580-255-5354, Ext. 160, or via e-mail at derrick.miller@duncanbanner.com.
