Small school scores big with food drive

Every year, Pacific Crest Academy in Camas runs an annual food drive with donations benefitting St. Vincent de Paul in Vancouver.

However, this year the efforts were increased when the student council issued a challenge to see who could bring in the most food: Middle schoolers or the elementary grades.

“It has turned into an amazing story of giving,” said Tamar Parker, principal.

Right before Thanksgiving break, the middle school had approximately 150 items and elementary schoolers, 500 items. But one of the third-graders, Katie Jackson, was determined to further increase the gap.

She and her dad, Harlan Jackson, paid a visit to Chuck’s Produce in Vancouver. Katie explained the food drive and competition to the store floor manager, Patrick Newman, who spoke with marketing specialist Alice Stricker.

Chuck’s Produce decided to donate more food, and the Jackson’s matched the amount given. When it was all said and done, the entire bed of Harlan’s full-sized pick-up truck was filled with food. When all items were counted, the total was more than 1,400.

“Service and making the world a better place is at the heart of Pacific Crest Academy’s mission,” Parker said. “Students truly take the call to serve others to heart. Katie is a wonderful example of this. Thank you to all families who contributed, but especially to Harlan and Katie Jackson, and Chuck’s Produce for modeling the true spirit of giving and working to make the world a better place through charity and justice.”

Katie noted that seeing all of the donated food made her feel good.

“It is important to help homeless people so that they can eat,” she said.