Caring kids can do

STUDENTS from Noosa Pengari Steiner School have collected hundreds of kilograms of food to help those in need.
Learning about saints and saintly deeds in the classroom was enough for Class 2 students to extend a helping hand to those less fortunate than themselves by hosting a school canned food drive for REAP Sunshine Coast.
Almost 200 cans of food were collected through the can drive and food ranged from fruit and vegetables to soups and canned fish.
The cans have since filled the pantries of United Synergies in Tewantin, Salvation Army in Noosa and Salvation Army in Coolum – for onward distribution to those less fortunate.
REAP is a regional food rescue program under the umbrella program OzHarvest, which began operations on the Sunshine Coast in mid August.
In one month alone, almost 400kg of food has been rescued from local businesses by the Lions Club of Peregian and distributed to charitable organisations in Tewantin, Noosa and Coolum.
Chapter co-ordinator Michele Lipner noted that there was expectation to expand the program to include additional charities in the Sunshine Coast in early 2015.
“We are currently looking to identify additional food donors as well as cold storage facilities so that in time, we can expand our catchment area and in turn, increase the number of people who will be able to source rescued food,” she said.
Michele added that of particular value to charities were pantry items, specifically canned and packaged goods.
The best source of these items for charitable purposes was through can drives.
Teacher Tim Nixon said even the smallest difference helped.
“Don’t think I can’t make a difference because I’m not a saint … well, as Class 2 and I would say, yes you can,” he said.
A second can drive is scheduled for the first quarter of the new school year.
To learn more about REAP Sunshine Coast phone 0406 085 747 or email reapsunshinecoast@westnet.com.au