JOHNSTON CITY -- Kids, as well as teachers, look forward to Christmas vacation, when they get time off from the classroom and a chance to relax.
For some kids, though, those days off mean hunger.
'There are 10 meals when you're outside of school for a week that are not getting served," said Carl Harris, who teaches fifth and sixth grades at Johnston City's Washington School. "You have this gap between what's typically provided to you. Now all of a sudden you have to pay this extra food bill."
Like many educators across the region, Harris worries about those students whose families are struggling to provide.
He decided to do something about it.
"We thought we'd help alleviate this by putting together meals," he said. "We're hoping to provide meals to families to bridge the gap while school is closed."
Harris said the idea is not original. His mom, Cheryl, a second grade teacher in Herrin, has done the same thing for the past several years.
"He wanted to do this but wasn't sure where to start," said Marta Phillips, a family friend who also happens to be the children's liaison for the Johnston City Ministerial Alliance.
Phillips introduced Harris to the group where he outlined the need and his plans to help.
The MA jumped at the chance to help and plans to provide funds to fill in what is needed after the student collection is complete.
Phillips, too, understands the need in her small town.
"With more than 70 percent free and reduced lunch rate and an unemployment rate of over 40 percent, there is a need," she said.
Phillips made it clear, though, that Harris is the catalyst for the program. "He's just taken off with it," she said, a clear measure of pride in her voice. "I hope people will see what a wonderful thing it is and he can take it to other schools in the future."
Harris said donations from the public are welcome and will be accepted in the office at Washington School. All nonperishable food items are welcome as well as dish and laundry soap and personal grooming items.
"We're trying to put together boxes that will make complete meals," said Harris, adding that Southern Illinois Healthcare donated all the boxes for the project.
He said giving the kids a chance to help is also important. Several have signed up to help sort and prepare the donations prior to the school dance on Friday.
Harris said he knows they can't do everything for everyone but he hopes to help as many as possible.
It's also about sending a message, he said.
"We care," he said. "You're not just someone we can teach about history, you're people. You deserve to have your needs provided for at this time."
