Concerns about the environment, the plight of orphans in foreign lands, human rights and hunger are a few of the issues on the minds of today's youth. From senior projects and panel discussions to holiday fairs, students in the Wood River Valley are becoming activists at an early age.
"The Silver Creek Alternative School always does Thanksgiving food baskets," said Blaine County Hunger Coalition Executive Director Jeanne Liston. "And the Montessori School has been doing this for months."
In fact, the students at Ketchum's Pioneer Montessori began collecting food in October for the Hunger Coalition. They plan to continue the drive throughout the school year. The purpose is to "instill in the children an understanding that people are hungry all year round, not just during the holidays," Liston said.
In addition, the students at the Big Wood School at the Presbyterian Church of the Big Wood did a Thanksgiving food drive, called "Stuff the Turkey."
Spearheaded by the Community Service Leadership Team and teacher Chris McAvoy, a Thanksgiving food drive brought in 2,600 cans of food from The Community School.
"I was collecting and stocking canned food last Tuesday and Wednesday," Liston said. "Then the Community School donated 2,600 cans to our little storage. It was a wonderful problem to have. It was amazing, truly amazing."
Food collected by the Hunger Coalition is disbursed in Blaine County through a variety of avenues. Food boxes, grocery store food vouchers and infant formula are provided to local social service agencies that have direct contact with children and families in need.