Learning life lessons amid a pandemic

CHENEY – A major aspect of the coronavirus pandemic is that people age 60 and over are among the most vulnerable to contracting the disease it carries, COVID-19. According to Washington Department of Health statistics, this population only accounts for 31 percent of the cases of the disease, but over 90 percent of the deaths, while in Spokane County, those percentages are 39 and 90 as well.

Unfortunately for many non-profit agencies, it’s this age range that makes up most of the people who volunteer to help out. It’s caused stress with many organizations in how they get their services to individuals in need, such as Greater Spokane County Meals on Wheels who rely on the over 60 crowd to make deliveries.

Cheney’s Food Bank is no different, but soon after the pandemic hit and restrictions were put in place shutting many businesses and keeping most people at home, a group of high school students stepped forward to help out. Juniors Charles Johnson, Sarah “Stich” Culps and Sydney Owen, along with freshman Peter Johnson have been volunteering over three hours of their time each Wednesday morning to help distribute food to those who show up asking for help.

The students have been assisting other volunteers in a variety of ways, including assembling and taking out orders and cleaning carts. Each of the students gave different reasons for helping out, but each said doing so has meant a lot to them.

“I have found a lot of free time on my hands, so what better way to spend it than to help others who are need,” Peter Johnson said.

“I have volunteered and helped most of my neighbors and my parents friends by doing woodworking at their shops and at their houses,” Owen said. “This was just another opportunity that I used to bless others.”

Peter and Charles’ father Ken Johnson, who is also Spokane County Fire District 10’s Fire Chief, said the experience has been invaluable to the students. They have been able to develop some unique experiences and learn things about the adults who volunteer, one of which is their grandfather and Food Bank President Jerry Stewart.

“So out of all this, it is important for us to focus on some of the positive effects of a pandemic,” Johnson said. “Several older members of our community are getting to help pass on a sense of community to a younger generation.”

The experience has also pointed up some simple lessons in treating others many have forgotten.

“When you give people their bag of food, they say thank you, a lot,” Culps said. “Not many people know how to say thank you. But I’m happy some other people do.”

“It has taught me that everyone needs help, even if they don’t show it or ask for it,” Charles Johnson said. “It’s important to give back to everyone.”

John McCallum can be reached at [email protected].