The Orcas middle school leadership class is sponsoring a food drive for the Orcas Food Bank.

“It was their number one project idea,” said teacher Laura Tidwell. “When we weren’t getting much food just putting up signs and collection boxes around the school and making announcements in the bulletin and school newsletter, they decided to step it up a notch.”

Lots of ideas were bounced around. The students settled on decorating Tidwell’s car, passing the word onto the high school ASB and the middle school Builder’s Club, and contacting the Islands’ Sounder.

“They weren’t willing to let the project die,” Tidwell said. “When they heard that 1 in 10 families on Orcas have relied on the food bank at one time or another this last year, it really made an impact.”

The community can drop off food at either the elementary main hall or the middle school or high school commons.

Items can also be brought directly to the food bank at the Community Church. Drop off hours are Tuesdays from 12:30 to 2 p.m. and Thursdays from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

The leadership class was started last year. Its goal is to give opportunities to students to improve as individuals, improve the school environment and improve the community.

“These kids have so much to offer, and are so willing to help make a difference in all three of these areas,” Tidwell said.