Maie Ellis students conduct food drive for Fallbrook Food Pantry

FALLBROOK – On Nov. 12, approximately 30 students from the "Bucket-fillers" group at Maie Ellis Elementary School filled a large van with 1,150 non-perishable food items, which was delivered to the Fallbrook Food Pantry. The "Bucket fillers" is a part of the 'Leader in Me' program which emphasizes the values of contributing to the community and helping others.

School representatives said the participating students find that they feel better about themselves and recognize that by helping others, they will become more effective leaders in their community.

Ms. Lulay, the teacher who organized the project, said that she had been inspired to conduct the food drive by what she had seen accomplished at La Paloma Elementary School in the food drive there, and she decided to initiate a program at Maie Ellis this year.

Lulay explained that prior to the actual event, members of the "Bucket-fillers" sent home flyers about the food drive and made presentations to students in several classrooms about how they could help.

Both Ms. Lulay and the volunteers at the Food Pantry said the Maie Ellis food drive was a great success.

"The community of Fallbrook is grateful for the way in which our schools are instilling in the students the virtues of helping others and the importance of community service," said Jean Dooley of the Fallbrook Food Pantry.