ABOVE- STC Elementary teacher Kevin Nelson (back, left) and students (l-r) Carisa Davenport, Saylor Upah, Shea Betz, Edwardo Gallardo and Autumn McFate carry food collected for the South Tama Food Pantry to a waiting truck. A food drive at the school aided the Food Pantry in providing for those in need during the holiday season. Chronicle/John Speer

TOLEDO CHRONICLE -Two efforts in December by elementary school students at South Tama and Meskwaki Settlement schools resulted in a bounty of items for assistance programs.

South Tama students put together a total of 698 items for the South Tama Food Pantry.

The Food Pantry, located in the Clothes Closet building, 511 McClellan, Tama, is open each Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. (Closed during bad weather if South Tama Schools are closed.)

The Food Pantry provides food and personal items to persons temporarily in need of assistance.

A contest called “Food Warz” was conducted among elementary classes at the Meskwaki Settlement School. A total of 1,099 items were collected.

RIGHT- Thadius Garcia, Syncere Lasley, Larnell Velazques, Lenore Pushetonequa, Rolando Keahna, Tryson Bear, Aracely Martinez, Zek Wabaunasee, Geanna Bear, Summer Youngbear (Back row): Trusten Rosenberger, teacher Andrea Craun and Jasmin Ayala were winners of the “Food Warz” drive at the Meskwaki Settlement School.  Brenda Doyle photo

Andrea Craun’s 1st grade won first place and was rewarded with a movie and popcorn party.

The food was distributed to the Meskwaki Senior Center residents.

STC Elementary students display some of the 698 food items they collected for the South Tama Food Pantry. Photo by Anita Townsley