[Seneca High School Pep Band playing]
Nothing brings out the town like a home game.
Seneca's distance from other communities
has protected its schools
from having to consolidate, like rival
North Crawford,
but like other schools in the region,
Seneca has a high share of students on free
or reduced lunch.
It's really the youngest who suffer the most
from hunger, and the school
and community is doing something extra
for them.
["Jingle Bells" playing on speakers]
Seneca's single kindergarten is a high-energy classroom,
especially during the countdown to Christmas.
- Two little Christmas trees
standing all...
- When teacher Deb Benish noticed
some students couldn't keep up
on Monday mornings,
she initiated the backpack program.
The packs filled by Renee Salmon
at the food pantry
wind up here,
given to select students to take home
in a way that won't let other students know
they're getting help.
- The amazing thing
is that it's completely funded
by the community.
There's no government funds.
It's just the people that care
about the students in our school
and the families.