Kootenai Elementary enters ninth year of ‘Collection for a Cause’

Nine years ago, Kyla French was a young mother of two and a recent college graduate in her second year teaching at Kootenai Elementary when she decided to start a program to provide Christmas dinners to students and their families.

“I remembered what it was like to not able to do Christmas,” French said. “I didn’t want anyone else to feel that way.”

Although French said her children always had everything they needed thanks to some help from their grandparents, there were times when things got tight.

Although her situation wasn’t as dire as some, it still made her want to help others who face a similar situation, she said. Low-income families face a lot of stress during the holiday season, often worrying over trying to provide presents and also put food on the table.

“You read in books or you see other families on commercials and they’re able to have these beautiful meals,” she said. “You think, ‘Where am I going to get that money? Do I have to work an extra job?’”

French now works at Farmin-Stidwell Elementary school, which is also running a similar program — but the tradition has continued at Kootenai.

Most years, teachers would organize a food drive for canned and boxed goods in addition to the Christmas dinners with ham, turkey, butter and other fixings said Kelli Knowles, principal at Kootenai Elementary.

This year, organizers will be taking donations to buy the food and reduce in-person contact due to the pandemic, Knowles said. Still, families who are signed up will receive a box of non-perishable food items in addition to a full Christmas dinner.

The children at the school always get involved, said Kootenai teacher Trish Butler. It teaches children about helping others, and the students understand that the food goes to their friends and classmates.

Although students aren’t helping to pack food this year, they’re still finding ways to participate.

On Wednesday, Knowles said, one first-grader came forward with his wallet and $15 to donate.

“We called his mom, and we were like, ‘Are you sure?’” Knowles said. “She said, ‘it’s his money.’”

The food drive and fundraiser has also gotten community support over the years from various local groups, Butler said. One year a group of women donated handmade blankets, and another one of the teacher’s mothers bought snow pants to send along with the packages for the children.

Providing that support for families can make a big difference, French said. Often a family would be a recipient one year, but not need it the next.

“They would be like, ‘no, that really put us on our feet last year, we didn’t get behind, we’d like you to give it to someone else,’” French said. “It saved families probably hundreds of dollars.”

Those who would like to support the food drive can do so this week and next by mailing or dropping off a check or money order made out to the Kootenai Elementary PTA.