Harlan students ‘pay it forward’ with Hy-Vee

Kayla Mertens, a third-grader at Harlan Elementary School, pushed a shopping cart full of pizza, pancake mix and syrup, laundry detergent, toothpaste and toothbrushes and other necessities behind classmates who were rushing across Hy-Vee to solve the next clue.

The dozen Harlan third-graders were on a scavenger hunt to fill the shopping cart with groceries for a family in need. Leading the pack was Hy-Vee pharmacist Christina Cook, who hid clues around the store earlier that day and gently reminded students to 'walk, don't run” from one clue to the next.

'Eat this fruit full of vitamin C ... and it keeps you healthy,” Cook read as each student excitedly yelled 'Cuties” before dashing off to the produce section of the store.

The scavenger hunt was a part of Hy-Vee Pharmacy's four-day 'pay it forward” event from Monday, Dec. 17, to Thursday, Dec. 20. The groceries students collected went to a family in need selected by the Fellowship Cup. The groceries were purchased by Hy-Vee and pharmacy manager Danielle Scott.

'It's fun to see them get into it,” Cook said. 'It was fun for them to run around and do, but later I think they'll think about what it was for. It's cool to watch them be kids.”

Mertens said that shopping for another family is important because some families don't have the groceries they need - and she didn't have to be at school.

Harlan third-grade students in Jane Kinney and Kim Sherwood's classes are learning in the classroom about things they can do to help others. Paraeducator Rose Alaniz, who tagged along with the students Tuesday, said working with the pharmacy was a good way for students to put into action their classroom discussion.

'They come up with all these things but don't see giving done. This is implementing what they're learning about,” Alaniz said.

Alaniz said she noticed that students were generous in the items they chose, always picking the largest box of cereal and grabbing an extra box of spaghetti. They even threw six toothbrushes into the shopping cart - four of which were returned to the shelf by Cook.

Only a select few Harlan third-graders were able to participate in paying it forward. Alaniz said the ones who came were chosen by their fellow classmates for the task.

Urijah Sayabath said he enjoyed helping a family in need. His favorite part of the scavenger hunt was finding all the makings for homemade pizza.

Taya Belloma said it's important to do this stuff for other people. 'Just keep doing it every year by giving your time,” Belloma said.

Lila Cook said that after participating in shopping for others, she will continue to care for people by being nice to them.

'Pay it forward” continues this week with the Hy-Vee Pharmacy meeting with the Mt. Pleasant Middle School's 'Gilmore Givers” club Wednesday to decorate crafts for Savannah Heights. Thursday, the pharmacy is giving back to their customers with an appreciation day. There will be cocoa, coffee, snacks and giveaways.

Hy-Vee store manager Brad Albers said that the pharmacy's 'pay it forward” initiative is great for the community.

'(Danielle Scott) and the team did a fantastic job. They're really involved and like to do things like this,” Albers said.

'It's been fantastic,” Scott said. 'It feels good to do good.”