Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, November 23, 1994 TAG: 9411230123
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
It was a trip to a new world for the sixth-graders at James Madison Middle School.
Most had never visited a homeless shelter. They had never seen people like Russell Gates, who has been living in his car since March because he doesn't have rent money.
With the support of their teachers, 70 students at the Roanoke school had decided to help the homeless as a Thanksgiving project. So, Tuesday found them at RAM House, the Roanoke Area Ministeries shelter at 824 Campbell Ave. S.W.
They brought food to the shelter's kitchen, where cooks already were preparing lunch. The students also decorated the dining room. They brought bright yellow and brown laminated table mats they had made.
Student Wyatt Silcox, who was seeing the shelter for the first time, said he better understands the needs of the homeless now.
"It makes one feel good about helping others," said Bayo Falase, who brought canned corn and tomatoes.
Ruby Shepherd, one of three teachers who accompanied the students, said the students expressed a desire to do something for the less fortunate.
"They feel that they will be able to enjoy their Thanksgiving more that they made a contribution that counts," Shepherd said. "This is a sensitive group of students.''
RAM House is a shelter for the homeless during the day. Unlike the Rescue Mission and the Salvation Army, RAM doesn't have sleeping facilities. Many of the homeless stay at the Rescue Mission or Salvation Army at night, then spend the day at RAM House.
About 100 people a day have lunch at RAM House, although the number can vary from 65 to 165.
Susan Adams, director of volunteers for RAM, said this is the first time, at least in recent years, that such a large group of students has brought food to the shelter.
Erin Edwards brought cans of green beans and chicken soup. Ann Saunders came with vegetable soup. Phillip Anderson brought canned vegetables.
Michael Bear said he has donated food for the needy in a program sponsored by South Roanoke United Methodist Church, but this is the first time he has done it as part of a school project.
At least two other city schools have collected food for the homeless and needy this Thanksgiving season. At Morningside Elementary School, the children donated 90 coats and about 450 nonperishable food items to the Rescue Mission.
At Hurt Park Elementary, students contributed food for Total Action Against Poverty to distribute.
Lori Chrisman, a teacher at Hurt Park, said the food was collected by requiring the children to bring food to gain admission to a school-sponsored movie.
"All of the children brought food. We collected 10 baskets with turkeys and we had six additional boxes of food," Chrisman said.
by CNB