Middle school, high school students plan diaper drive for next week

Student council members at Sidney Middle and High School students will be collecting diapers next week to benefit the Table of Grace Mobile Food Pantry.

The pantry serves Sidney and surrounding communities.

Boxes or packages of diapers – sizes 2 to 6 – will be collected at the middle school girls’ basketball game on Tuesday, Dec. 2 at 4 p.m. against Bridgeport at West Elementary, and at the high school girls’ basketball game on Thursday, Dec. 4 at 5:30 p.m. against Greeley West (Colo.) at the Cabela’s Athletic Facility.

“The goal, first and foremost, is to give our students an opportunity to serve those in our community who need help,” said high school student council sponsor Tanya Lewis. “Every month, members of our high school student council help distribute food through this food pantry, so it is an important charity to them personally.

“The Sidney Middle School Student Council has also decided to help out and contribute to the drive,” Lewis added. “Both groups, especially during this holiday season, want to help make the lives of everyone in our town a little better.”

According to Tim Lindeman, the director at Table of Grace, there is a growing need for items specific to babies and young children. The recent closure of its local Doves office has resulted in an increase in patrons who need items such as diapers and baby formula, and there are limited resources to provide them with these necessary things.

Lewis also pointed out that she and middle school student council sponsor Tony Neels feel its important for the students to take time out of their busy schedules to contribute to the larger community in a positive way.

“The students thought this was a good place to start and we agreed,” she said.