Before they flew off for their well-deserved summer vacation, the students and staff at Eisenhower Intermediate School rose to conquer hunger.
For the 11th year, the Helping Hands Club and Student Council representatives and staff members of Eisenhower participated in the Rise Against Hunger event on Wednesday, June 18.
According to the ringleader of this worthy cause, Deb Ronning, “Rise Against Hunger is a humanitarian organization that packs and provides meals to students around the globe in need of nourishing food. Meals are also distributed to communities after crises like earthquakes or hurricanes.”
Ms. Ronning, who wears numerous hats at Eisenhower, including Student Council Co-Advisor, as well as serving as a 5th Grade English Language Arts and Enrichment-English Language Arts Teacher, further explained this highly successful activity.
“ It has been held annually at the end of the school year thanks to the efforts of a former student, Teresa Schmeiszer, who brought the organization to both clubs' advisors after participating in a packing at Take Your Child to Work Day with her father. Students in both clubs raise the funds necessary to bring the organization to IKE (Eisenhower). This year, David's Cookies and Cheesecakes and Double Good popcorn were sold to generate the $4,000 needed.”
She added.
“Students worked together at various stations to package meals consisting of rice, soy, vegetables, and vitamins. Other students then sealed, labeled, and boxed the meals.”
Ms. Ronning was thrilled to provide her final report.
“We met our goal of packing 10,000 meals in roughly two hours! Students had fun banging the gong to signal every 1,000 meals packed. Both Dr. (Laura) Bassett and Mr. (Brian) Smith participated in the packing, and Assistant Superintendent Dan Fonder stopped by for a bit. “