What’s “cool at school” for this month is the annual food basket distribution supplied by the West Greene High School to their community. Each year the West Greene High School partners with the Rogersville United Methodist Church to distribute Thanksgiving Day baskets filled with turkey, mashed potatoes, green beans, corn, cranberry sauce, rolls, pumpkin pie and more to families in the district. There are 643 students enrolled in the middle through senior high schools in the district. The number of families that experience an economic need for assistance within this demographic is approximately 40%.
Joining the United Methodist Church with donations for this year were EQT, a bikers organization introduced through David Fethman, and an anonymous individual; these donors helped them provide 40 baskets for distribution to community families.
This tradition started in the early years of the millennium when Teresa Simms asked the Rogersville Methodist Church members and West Greene school staff and members for help in finding families to receive their annual Christmas giveaway. The next year they were approached for Thanksgiving and soon the tradition was born. It has grown to include numerous staff, community members and organizations like the Bonar scholars and Wiggle Room account.
Organizing this years’ event, which took place on November 22, 2021, was Erin Shiflett, a Lead Support Teacher for the West Greene School District. This was Erin’s first year managing the event. When asking Erin how this year was different than any other year distributing baskets she said, “The number of families we were able to provide a basket to increased significantly from previous years through the generous donations of those involved.”
Many of those contributing to the event also provided their time to shop and make the baskets that were distributed. There were eight baskets supplied through the church, five from the biker group, 15 organized by EQT, 10 provided by Erin and her kids, and one from a community member.
Planning for the event begins in late October. Erin reaches out to families wanting to receive a basket by advertising the event through various social media platforms. Families that want a basket are asked to complete a reservation form and submit it.
When talking with Erin about this event and the West Greene School Districts (WGSD) participation through the years in various community driven projects, she credits WGSD for always providing for the kids and families in the area. During the past year, even when school was not in session, buses were dispatched to deliver food to families. “The WGSD does a phenomenal job of busing food to the families,” Erin said.
Erin states they are working on a similar distribution of food baskets for the Christmas holiday. While during the holiday season the distribution of baskets are the focus of giving, nutritional and hygiene items are provided to the kids throughout the year. To find out more about the Thanksgiving and holiday food baskets provided in the West Greene School District area contact Erin Shiflett at shiflette@wgsd.org, 724-499-5191 ext. 2218.