Delta Opportunity School bills itself as a "school with heart." The student-run Food For Thought program best illustrates how community service is an important component of the education students receive through DOS.

Food For Thought feeds 165 children in Delta County each week. Each of these backpacks contains enough food to get a child through the weekend. Not only do these backpacks provide meals for children, sometimes they are needed to feed the whole family.

The students who participate in this program learn even they can have a positive impact on the lives of young students. They also have an opportunity to see adults model the concepts of caring and compassion.

Several of those adults were recognized during a luncheon held to celebrate the fourth year of the growing program.

JoAnn DiBitonto is the Altrusa liaison to Food For Thought. "It's been beautiful to see these kids extend themselves, to see them grow," she said.

Kathleen Ray was recognized for transporting backpacks to and from Cedaredge Elementary School. Joyce Long facilitated a $1,000 grant from Century Link — the latest in a long list of contributions which have helped keep the program running throughout the school year. In the summer months the food pantry is opened once a month for participating families.

"If Food For Thought had been around when I needed it, then perhaps I would have never known the feeling of going hungry," one DOS student stated.

DOS principal Delaine Hudson applauded Willyn Webb's efforts to help students learn the importance of helping others. Webb is a teacher at Delta Opportunity School.

The male DOS students manned the barbecue and circulated with appetizers, while the girls modeled fashions from Beauty & the Bling. Owner Nacole Williams recently gave every female DOS student a stylish shirt from her Delta store.

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