Students STEP up as volunteers

Emme Cunningham, from left, and Kelly Keller, sack sugar at the McCook Pantry, under the watchful eye of Pantry Coordinator Bob Hardy, back. (Lorri Sughroue/McCook Daily Gazette)

McCOOK--Giving without getting anything in return has been added to the curriculum of reading, writing and 'rithmatic.

Students from the STEP Program (Success Through Educational Partnerships) troop into the McCook Food Pantry every Monday morning during the school year, and help sort canned items, stock shelves or measure out perishables, like sugar.

"It's great, they help out quite a bit," said Food Pantry coordinator Bob Hardy, of the volunteers.

Often, older volunteers who work at the Pantry sometimes cannot physically do all the things the kids can do, he said, such as unload and stock canned goods.

"It's nice that we can count on them."

But the teens may be getting the better end of the deal.

Helping out at the Pantry "makes it easier to get through my day," said student David Banning, as he measured pinto beans into a bag with his brother, Daryan.

Classmate Kelly Keller agreed. She was pouring sugar into one pound bags with Emme Cunningham.

"Times are tough right now," she said. "It makes me feel good to be able to help others."

The STEP program, administered through Educational Service Unit 15 in Southwest Nebraska, provides an alternate academic and social environment for area students, so they can complete credits needed for high school graduation. Covering nine school districts and six counties, the program is not special education, but rather another route for kids to get enough creditsfor their diploma.

Kids get behind on credits for variety of reasons, such as transferring from another school, health issues or bullying situations, said teacher Mary Lambing,

In addition to earning credits for graduation, service work is another facet of the STEP program. By volunteering, students learn first-hand that "it's not all about me," Lambing said.

It also helps with social and work skills, as students learn to accomplish goals, communicate effectively and take responsibility for their behavior.

Along the way, they become part of something larger than themselves, as they find out they can make a positive difference in other peoples' lives.

"People here at the Pantry really build the kids up, praise them for a job well done," Lambing said. "The kids learn that what they do, really does matter."