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New MHS club serves the community

Support Student Serve; save $2 on Titan football tix

photo by Britt Combs

Shufford and Grindstaff are co-founders of Student Serve at McDowell High School

By Britt Combs | The McDowell News

Published: September 15, 2009

On Friday, you'll have a chance to cheer on the Titans, save lots of dough and give bread to the needy all at the same time.

Student Serve, a new club at McDowell High School, is sponsoring a food drive to benefit Manna Food Bank. Folks who give can get into the football game at last year's ticket prices.

Students who bring at least two canned food items will get their tickets for $3. Adults who bring at least two food items will get into the game for $5. Students can bring their donations any time during the school day; but Student Serve will have folks collecting at the ticket booth as well.

The food drive is just one activity the new club is taking on. Founded by MHS students Macie Shuford and Garret Grindstaff, Student Serve is committed to making the community a better place.

"Over the next five weeks," said Shuford, "we'll be doing a food drive with a box in every home room. The home room that collects the most donations of canned or non-perishable food items will get a donut breakfast."

She and Grindstaff both belong to Grace Community Church. He said that they got involved with LOT Ministries (Least Of These) which feeds the homeless of Asheville every Saturday.

"Once we started doing that," she explained, "Garret said, 'Wouldn't it be great to get other students involved?'"

That has proved to be not a problem, as MHS kids are deservedly well-known for their community spirit. With many member eager to take on service projects, MHS teacher and fellow Grace Church member Kori Elliott gladly agreed to the kids' request to sponsor the club.

Principal Ben Talbert, Elliott said, was glad to sanction the club as an official school club and has gotten involved himself.

"(Talbert and I) will be taking about 12 students to Manna for the kick-off of the 5-week food drive" tonight, she said. Part party and part training, the Manna event will serve to motivate and reward the student groups for getting involved. 15 school teams will compete to bring in the most food.

Shuford said tonight's event will include a "cheer competition" to get the students in the spirit.

"It's a good thing we have a lot of cheerleaders in the club," she said, adding that she thought they would stand a good chance of winning.

But for all the fun involved, she and Grindstaff agreed it was all about works, all about service.

They are also planning several services for the McDowell Women's Shelter, including landscaping and yard work, tutoring for the children of women in the shelter, and volunteering at both of the shelter's thrift stores.

But that's not enough for the kinds of Student Serve. They hope the community will call on them with more projects they can take on.

Elliott said that anyone wanting to suggest or request Student Serve help for their project should contact her at kori.elliott@mcdowell.k12.nc.us. Anyone wishing to donate food items for the Student Serve Manna Food Drive should contact her at the same address.