Avoyelles High faculty volunteers at Manna House

   Avoyelles High School faculty members recently put their 2015-16 school year theme of   “Use Your Ability to Honor and Serve” into action.

   The AHS staff began by delivering donated canned food items to Manna House in Alexandria. They then spent the day in service, cooking and serving those who visited. Manna House provides a hot, nutritious meal to people of all ages and walks of life, many either homeless or living on very meager earnings. The organization is open 365 days a year and provides its visitors a clean, safe and welcoming environment.

    “This was an effort to promote our theme to the students,” Assistant Principal Jennifer Dismer said. “We wanted to begin with the faculty and then ask all the students to help volunteer in some type of community service.”

   One of the projects is donating to the Food Bank of Central Louisiana year around and not just during the holiday season. Dismer said some groups, like the cheerleaders and the Interact Club, have already started volunteer projects.

     “The school is hoping to instill in students a desire to use their time and talent to promote citizenship,” she added.

    During the new school year, service T-shirts will be sold to students after they contribute to the Avoyelles High food drive  to benefit the Food Bank of Central Louisiana and Manna House.

    AHS hopes the emphasis will encourage students to participate in community service activities, either individually or through their school clubs and extracurricular activities.

     Students will be allowed to wear the service T-shirts every Friday.