From staff reports
Clarion County Youth Council kicked off the 2017-2018 year with a meeting on Oct. 4, in Clarion. CCYC is a leadership program teaching students through hands-on experiences of planning and completing projects based on issues they see in their community and county such as bullying, poverty, environment and drug and alcohol.
The students are planning different drives in their schools or communities for various groups that help with poverty and hunger. Student ideas include sock, food and toy drives, and collecting items for soldiers or individuals in nursing homes.
The goal is for each school to complete a drive benefitting their community by their next meeting on Dec. 6, so they can celebrate the accomplishments completed by individual groups.
Students heard from Mike Moore, a financial advisor, about key components of communication when relating their messages about poverty and hunger in their schools and communities.
Students also heard from individuals representing agencies helping combat hunger and poverty in Clarion County. Jessica Kalkhof from Clarion County Community Action spoke about their food pantry and other services available for families in need.
Renee Vowinckel shared information about the Salvation Army and Pennies from Heaven programs; Karen Reddick spoke about the Area Agency on Aging and how they help the elderly population with meals, and John Kerle spoke about Charitable Deeds and the services they offer.
Also shared was information on the Shelter Task Force and the Redbank Valley Food Pantry.
Students asked questions about how they could help programs already in place with food or item drives and volunteering.
It is hoped students went home with something new to share with their peers and ideas on projects they can do in their schools and communities in the upcoming year.
For more information on CCYC contact Amanda Cserr, CCYC chairwoman, at Clarion County’s Promise by calling (814) 223-1590.