Sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students from St. Joseph School in Ellinwood went shopping recently, but not to buy items for themselves. Instead, they were shopping for food items to contribute to families in need.

Each year St. Joseph School students contribute non-perishable food items for Christmas baskets. These baskets are then distributed to Ellinwood area families in need. In the past, each St. Joseph student in grades kindergarten through eighth brought non-perishable food items from home. This year, students in grades kindergarten through fifth brought food items from home, while students in sixth, seventh, and eighth grade brought a money donation. With their money in hand, the students hit the aisles of Ellinwood Family Foods.

Before they could make the trip to EFF, students brain stormed for the types of food items they would purchase for the baskets. After listing these items, the students eliminated anything perishable. Next, students prioritized the list so that the most important items, such as instant potatoes, gravy mix, stuffing mix, and cranberry sauce, would be purchased first. Any remaining items on the list would only be purchased if they had extra money.