 The Bemidji community food shelf is looking to reach 25,000 pounds of donated items for its annual Stuff-a-Truck event. Last year, area schools gave well over 14,000 pounds of items and are chipping in this year as well. Mel Meyer has more. With liberty and justice for all. Heartland Christian Academy has been helping with the Stuff-a-Truck event for years. In God's Word, it tells us to help the poor and help the needy. And this is one opportunity we have to do that. For the last three weeks, the students have been bringing in non-perishable or personal hygiene items. Lots of pasta and rice and beans and oatmeal. The teachers have used this to create a real discussion about homelessness and hunger with the children. The idea was quite foreign to some of my students as we talked about this that there are people who really don't have food to put together a meal. It coincides with their theme of the month of gratitude and giving thanks. And it has given us really good opportunities to talk about being thankful and really about the abundance that we have been given. She has also used this to talk about the issue at home with her two daughters. It makes me happy to know that I'm helping other people or kids that don't have any food. While they may not be able to see the effects of their good deed directly, the food shelf certainly will. Thank you. The items have arrived here at the food shelf where they will be cataloged, organized, and then they'll hit the shelves. Filling the shelves at a critical time of the year. People often have families visiting during the holidays and so they need extra food and we're so happy to be able to provide that. From Bemidji, I'm Mal Meyer, Lakeland News. The food shelf will be collecting additional donations from Marketplace Foods this Friday and Saturday, as well as at the Bemidji State Men's Hockey Games on November 25th and 26th. If you've enjoyed this segment of Lakeland News, please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to Lakeland Public Television.