Loving their neighbors

Students of North Idaho Christian School packaged more than meals of rice and beans Thursday during their Feed the Need packing party.

The boxes were also filled with prayers, good thoughts and love for the children of Haiti who will receive the 10,000 meals.

"I'm feeling really happy because I love how we're sending a whole bunch of meals to Haiti to help all the children," fourth grader Ruby Mills said. "We have so much and they don't have that much."

Eighth grader Cheyenne Collins was also in a great mood as she tossed sealed bags to Ruby to add to larger boxes that will be shipped.

"We're spreading the gospel to children all over the world," she said.

This was the fourth year the school participated in the Feed the Need food packing event. More than 250 students, kindergarten through 12th grades, donned hairnets and green shirts to work in shifts, packing 2,500 meals an hour.

"We're helping so many people that lost their homes before and don't have homes and food," fourth grader Hayden Jones said.

Senior Victor Badger hauled boxes and helped his younger counterparts as they organized their efforts.

"It's training up kids' hearts to love their neighbor and show a Christ-like example to the community," he said.

The event is an annual fundraiser to support the school's needs. Local businesses help by donating funds, which are used throughout the year for items the basic budget doesn't cover. School Communications Director Jennifer Scott said this year funds will help pay for new Chromebooks for students and building updates. In years past, the funds have helped with security needs and remodeling projects.

The goal this year was to raise $100,000. As of Thursday, $88,000 had been collected in six weeks. Last year the school raised $121,000.

"I was really hoping to get to our goal this year," Scott said. "But we're close. That's good."

As well as raising money for their school and sending meals to help people 3,000 miles away, the Feed the Need fundraiser provides opportunities for fellowship between younger and older students, creating lasting friendships and memories.

"This is exactly why we started this fundraiser, to get the kids involved, to get them outside their box, to be able to see they can make a difference, they can have a voice," Scott said. "By them spreading the gospel, by showing pure love and caring for other people, it helps them grow in their relationships with Jesus.

"They know what to do, they lead well, they lead the little kids, that's why we group the little tinies with the bigger ones because they know how to do it, and it's so sweet."

Feed the Need is a fundraiser conducted through the Champion Group, an organization that empowers Christian schools and ministries to accomplish greater impact through increased funding and organizational effectiveness.