×
×
homepage logo

Teams serve nearly 300 at kitchen

By Shawn Linenberger - | Feb 5, 2003

Tonganoxie High School’s basketball assist statistics took a different form last weekend as players and coaches volunteered at a food kitchen in Kansas City, Kan.

The boys team has helped with the kitchen the last four years, while the girls team pitched in for the second straight year.

Members at Sacred Heart Catholic Church volunteer the first Sunday of every month at the kitchen. During the basketball season, the THS teams pick one of those Sundays to volunteer their services.

Last Sunday, the teams served between 250 and 300 people, as the girls served on the food line and the boys washed dishes. Boys team members brought lettuce, while the girls brought loaves of bread.

“I think the kids do an excellent job and keep things in perspective but it’s also a little lesson learned that they should be thankful for what they do have,” THS boys coach David Walker said.

Senior guard Chad Turner said the event always opens his eyes. And, players usually learn something about some of the people who frequent the kitchen. Turner said an organizer at the kitchen told players about a man who always has to sit in a specific seat — even if someone is occupying it when he gets there.

“He has a certain seat and he stood on the wall until they got up,” Turner said.

For Sunday’s meal, players and coaches from both teams served from 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Mo’s Pizza donates food for the church’s volunteer work as well, and players had some additional pizza brought in for the occasion.

Wilma Plake, a coordinator of Sacred Heart’s work at the kitchen, said more than 40 organizations help with the service throughout year. The kitchen is open seven days a week.