Ringgold students holding food collection drive
By JEFF STITT
jstitt@yourmvi.com
Student officers of Ringgold High School’s junior class will hold a food collection drive at the school to help those who’ve been economically impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.
Class of 2021 president Jason Walsh, vice president Kristen Gamble, treasurer Ainsley Skrinjorich and secretary Haley Resosky announced that the drive will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday.
“This food collection drop-off idea came about suddenly and we are hoping that information about it will spread via word of mouth,” said elementary school nurse Sharon Gamble. “We want people to understand that this isn’t a food distribution. This is a drop-off only food drive to collect non-perishable food for the Mon Valley Food Bank in Finleyville.”
Gamble said her daughter Kristen and her fellow class officers came up with the idea to collect food.
“The kids kind of just thought ‘Let’s get together and do something that will make a difference in people’s lives’ and thought this was a good idea,” she said. “This is a great group of kids and I am just so proud of all four of them. They all have such positive attitudes, and even when something like a pandemic isn’t going on they always want to help and do what’s necessary to help their school, classmates and community.”
She said that as class officers, Kristen, Ainsley, Haley and Jason would normally be fundraising and planning end-of-year school events at this time of year.
“With school being closed, they kind of figured there isn’t much to do once they finish their school work and wanted to channel their efforts toward something that would benefit the whole community,” Sharon Gamble said.
The school nurse said she, the students and police officers will be taking precautions during the food collection to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Signs will be posted to direct traffic and anyone wishing to donate should load their non-perishable foods into the trunk of their vehicle. When they pull up at the middle school entrance, a student or police officer will unload the food from the trunk.
“No one needs to get out of their car,” she said, adding that students and officers will be wearing masks.
At the end of each collection, Ringgold school police officers will deliver the non-perishables to the food bank for distribution.
“We really encourage anyone who has the ability to stop by and drop off a non-perishable food item,” Sharon Gamble said. “Even if you can’t donate something and you just want to drive by and beep your horn and wave to show support, we would appreciate that.
“This is a community effort and is meant to be helpful and positive for everyone from across the whole Mon Valley.”
Kristen Gamble said she is proud of her fellow Class of 2021 officers.
“I just think right now the community needs a positive thing because of all the things going on,” she said. “We just thought that this is something good that will help people and will make everyone happy. Anything we can do to assist the community and make people happy is a good thing. We will be grateful to anyone who offers assistance.”
