Community comes together to ensure students eat
When there’s a need, the community rallies together.
On the last day before Lassen High School temporarily closed due to coronavirus concerns, staff, law enforcement, students, local businesses, organizations and local families made sure each student who was in need could take a bag of food home.
Rebekah Snell, left, Sophie Guzman and Josh Harlow help prepare hygiene kits for LHS students to take home.“I’m truly overwhelmed,” said LHS Assistant Principal Josh Blackburn. “Anytime we have a call for need, our community comes through.”
According to School Resource Officer Terra Avilla, the school was working to identify the students who depend on the school breakfast and lunch program to provide them with a bag of food.
Avilla said there were donations from Les Schwab, Lassen Ale Works at the Pioneer (which donated bread and produce), public health, the Salvation Army, Heartshine Miss California Sweetheart 2020 Queen Arianna Cain, along with many community members and others showing their support, as well.
About 80 bags of food were prepared through donations from the community to help Lassen High School students have access to food during the temporary school closure, should they need it.Crossroads Ministries also donated 500 meals to ensure students wouldn’t be hungry during the hiatus from school.
Nancy Singh, Youth Services Officers, students and staff packed the bags prior to the end of school.
“Our community rocks,” Avilla shared.
Additionally, each LHS student left with a hygiene kit and a list of resources, Avilla noted, which detailed where students could get assistance during the temporary closure.
“We know this time of transition might be a little unsettling for some of you. But we at LHS want you to know we are a forever family, and family looks after one another,” read the note students took home.
“The length of time off from school may be unknown; however, one thing is for certain — there are hundreds of people making sure you will have food in your bellies during this time,” the note continued.
Students were directed to call the district office at 257-2141 for additional assistance, or the Susanville Salvation Army at 257-0314.
“Stay healthy, Lassen, and we will see you soon. We Are Lassen Strong,” concluded the note.
By the end of Wednesday, March 18, there were about 80 bags of food ready to go with students.
Any extra perishable items were donated to Salvation Army and remaining items went to Lassen Senior Services.
Blackburn also made note to thank Avilla for her assistance with the school.
“Officer Avilla is an amazing individual who does countless things for this school,” he said. “We are blessed to have her.”
Resources available to students will be posted on the LHS Facebook page and on its website.
