Atalaya Elementary Students Volunteer at The Food Depot

About 40 fifth-graders from Atalaya Elementary took part in a community service project on December 7, 2023, at The Food Depot, where they bagged and labeled pinto beans for families in need. This initiative is part of a holiday season tradition that aims to engage students in volunteer work while supporting local food distribution efforts.

The students organized themselves into assembly lines, efficiently handling the task of packaging the beans. Some students scooped beans into bags, while others weighed and sealed them. At the end of the assembly line, Ray Smith, age 10, devised a method to neatly arrange the finished bags. “We haven’t had any major bean spills. It’s a big old assembly line, and it’s already proven to be efficient,” he noted. His classmate, Calvin Lovato, age 11, added, “That’s not the main thing, but they definitely are fun.”

This school outing is the second in a series of visits organized by teachers Bart Ramey and Lisa Rubin. Staff members indicate that these trips have been well-received and beneficial for the food bank, which has experienced increasing demand. As the hours passed, energy levels fluctuated, leading to some lighthearted moments, including playful bean tosses among students. Lia Cotofana, age 10, humorously threw a bag to her classmate, Seven Peterson, who caught it with a grin.

The students expressed a sense of purpose in their efforts, with many recognizing the importance of giving back. “They say they want to give back,” Ramey explained. “They say it makes them feel better about their self-esteem.”

In a nearby room, teacher Lisa Rubin managed her group of 17 students and emphasized the shared values of social responsibility and community awareness. “It’s kind to help people,” remarked Aidan Martinez, age 11, as he packaged beans alongside his twin brother.

The food bank’s distribution packages typically include a mix of items, with beans being a staple. Keshav Hedrick, age 10, stated, “Right now, especially, people need it more because the government shut down. It’s harder for people to get food.”

The current need for food assistance has grown significantly. According to Pauline Montoya, lead volunteer program coordinator at The Food Depot, there has been a 40% increase in the number of individuals seeking help. This surge is attributed to concerns surrounding the suspension of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Montoya shared her own experience of growing up in a single-parent household and the impact community support had on her family. “Just seeing I had food in my own community,” she reflected, “I was like, ‘I could be doing that for someone else.’”

The students’ visit is not only a demonstration of civic engagement but also a valuable experience in social-emotional learning. The initiative underscores the significance of community action, particularly at a time when many families are facing hardships. As the students wrapped up their volunteering, they left with a greater understanding of compassion and the impact of their contributions.