HURRICANE, W.Va. — A Putnam County 5th grader says she couldn’t stand to see others go without when she has so much. Elise Simokat, a student at West Teays Elementary in Putnam county, decided to do something about it.
“I honestly think I get a good Christmas, so other people should get a good Christmas as well,” she told 580-WCHS Radio.
Inspired by a YouTube video about the plight of the homeless, Elise initially set out to do something to help the homeless. But she soon found there was just as much need in her own school. Instead of reinventing the wheel, she decided to work to provide one full holiday meal to all of those students in Putnam County who are part of the “Backpack Buddy” program. The program sends home backpacks filled with food each weekend with students who may otherwise not get a meal during the weekend.
“I know they didn’t get full meals, so I decided to try and give them full meals.” she explained.
She started her campaign with a Facebook video and the video caused donations to pour into her program. Elise indicated a couple of huge donations were received from Kroger and from a local doctors office as well has numerous smaller donations. All of the money now in hand, she along with friends and family purchased, assembled, and packed the meals. Wednesday she delivered the entree meals for each child to 22 schools in Putnam County. The meals will be sent home with each student in the program for the holiday break.
“I’ve always been concerned about this. I’ve always though about kids who don’t have the things I have,” she explained. “My parents tell me I have a really blessed life. I believe that.”