Red Ribbon Week at Scotland Elementary instills in students ways to help themselves, as well as others.

It’s a week dedicated to encouraging students to say no to drugs, tobacco and alcohol along with discussing ways to say no to those items each day, as well as an annual food drive to support another great cause, the Scotland Food Pantry.

“They watch the items brought in daily to see how the pile is growing,” Scotland Superintendent Damon Alvey.

“I think it makes some students appreciate what they have and it certainly sheds light on the needs in our community, as well as other communities.”

The Elementary Student Council chose the theme days for the week with classrooms competing against one another so classes that bring more items earn an extra recess. Students were encouraged to bring canned items or non-perishable food items, collecting about 100 pounds of food.

The student council delievered the donated food items to the pantry and saw how their contributions were put on the shelves for others to benefit from.

“Our students realize that the pantry is a great addition to our community,” Alvey said. “Some of our student’s families either use the pantry themselves or know someone else who does, so that makes a strong connection.”

“I believe students learn valuable life lessons in empathy, character and being charitable.”