Necessities for success

A Washougal High School senior is hoping to make a difference for local kids in need.

Hunter Cleghon is collecting food in an effort to establish a backpack program at Cape Horn-Skye Elementary and Canyon Creek Middle schools.

“I thought this would be something good to start in the community,” he said. “They don’t have a program out there and it will help a lot of students who need those necessities. It is one less thing for them to worry about.”

The tentative plan is to have backpacks sent home with Cape Horn Skye Elementary and Canyon Creek Middle School students every Friday, as well as during school breaks.

“In order for this program to be a success we will need to keep the food pantry stocked,” Cleghon said. “If you are able to support this program, it will make a difference in students’ lives.”

He is hosting two collection drives for the backpack program.

These will be held Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon at Washougal Safeway, 3307 Evergreen Blvd., and from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. at Canyon Creek Middle School, 9731 Washougal River Road. There will also be a collection drive on Wednesday, Oct. 19, from 5 to 6 p.m. at Washougal Safeway, and 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Canyon Creek Middle School.

Suggested items include oatmeal packets, canned soup, macaroni and cheese, tuna fish, granola bars, fruit bars, peanut butter, jelly, boxed cereal canned fruit and canned vegetables.

“We are so pleased to have Hunter take on the backpack program as his senior project,” said Mary Lou Woody, Cape Horn-Skye principal. “Staff have talked about it for a couple of years, and now with Hunter’s enthusiasm and perseverance, it is finally be put into place. It’s a big project, but he has the needed support from friends and family. We will work with Hunter to make this a sustainable program for the years to come.”

Added Cleghon, “I’m hoping that if students have this food, they will be able to focus more on their school work.”

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