When most students at W.D. Cuts Junior High were chatting in the hallways, talking about upcoming exams, homework assignments or plans for the weekend, another group was spending the day working at two Edmonton charities.
A group of students from the Grade 9 leadership class decided the field trip was an important step towards learning what it takes to make the world a better place for those in need.
Lauren Mar was one of those students. She and four others spent half the day at the Edmonton Food Bank doing much the same work of any other volunteer: sorting toilet paper rolls into packages for future hampers. There was also the malodorous business of dumping 20 crates’ worth of spoiled milk.
Regardless of the smell, she thought the working tour showed her how much effort goes into the social assistance network.
“I think we all were amazed at how complex the whole thing actually was and we all were inspired by the many volunteers and workers that helped in the process that is so vital to many people's lives.”
She said the work wasn’t all that bad and that the group was still geared up to do more when it came time to leave at the end of the day. She called it “an eye-opening experience” and hopes to have another chance to return.
Holly Robinson felt much the same way, admitting that she didn’t know what she was getting involved with.
“To be completely honest, before arriving at the Mustard Seed, I didn’t have the slightest idea as to what it was,” she began. “That’s why when we finally reached the inner city of Edmonton, I was surprised to see that we were going into a church.”
She added that it’s actually a Christian humanitarian organization that works to combat poverty by uniting communities in both Edmonton and Calgary. She was astounded to learn that the food bank located in its basement can only provide a handful of items per person per month.
“After seeing this depressing sight, it really made me think of how fortunate we really are in St. Albert. That’s why when it came to making the sandwiches, all of us got really into it. We served our tuna and ham out with smiles bursting on our faces, just happy knowing that we were making someone’s day better, even if it was just by handing them a sandwich. When the day was over, I had a great sense of accomplishment inside. I would go back there any day if it meant helping these people out even just a little bit more.”
Assistant principal JoAnn Blachford praised the students’ efforts and enthusiasm to help. She explained that it was important to do this work at Edmonton’s social agencies and not here in St. Albert because the scope of the problem would make for a better teaching example.
“We wanted the experience [of the inner city]. We’re not going to have that experience of seeing what people in need are at our food bank, which is two blocks from the school.”
Another group of leadership students will be taking the same field trip this Friday. Blachford added that they are already working on a fundraising plan to provide food and student workers for one of the Mustard Seed’s evening meal services.
