There’s nothing like a good old fashioned Christmas concert to bring out the spirit of the season, unless it’s an act of generosity by the school’s children to help those in need. At the Muenster School Christmas concert on December 19, the school’s Student Representative Council made a presentation to benefit the Humboldt and District Food Bank.

Co-president of the SRC, Alex Hinz, explained the project replaced the previous annual magazine sales. The idea was actually spawned at this fall’s Student Leadership Conference held in Watrous. 

“During the Conference at the trade show, we found a company called “Recipes in a Jar”, and it was kind of a neat program. Each jar we sell has the dried ingredients to a meal like a soup or a chili base. With that, we get roughly 30-40 percent, and for every jar we sell, another meal is donated to the Humboldt and District Food Bank.”

Hinz explained that “Recipes in a Jar” (aka Recettes en Pot) is a venture from Montreal that is driven by social philanthropy, eco-friendliness and sustainability. The company provides jobs for vulnerable workers in Montreal, thereby supporting another group facing challenges. Hinz says he and the Muenster School students like that idea.

“It’s kind of a neat program how it serves the community both here and there.”

The students sold 516 jars of food which allowed them to top up their return to the Food Bank to the tune of 560 meals. 

Speaking on behalf of the Food Bank, board member and Muenster resident Diana Blechinger noted the importance of donations from groups like Muenster School with the help of Recipes in a Jar 

“We’re thankful to the company that’s sponsoring this, and the staff, students, and communities for their support. Our food bank relies just on donations; we wouldn’t exist without it.”

The school derives a benefit as well. With their portion of the proceeds, the school is purchasing a new production lighting system. A demo model in use for the concert added striking and sophisticated professional lighting to the performances. 

“The new system allows us to convert sound to light so on different frequencies it will flash. We can pattern lights and fade and brighten. You can set command scenes so you know what’s coming later on. It’s pretty cool.”

As another important message for the holiday season, Danica Kiefer with the school’s Students Against Drinking and Driving (SADD) chapter let the audience know about the Red Ribbon campaign. Attendees could pick up a red ribbon to decorate their vehicles and a reminder to drive safely and sober. 

The children’s spirited performances at the concert added warmth to their generosity. While working toward the new technology for the school, the students learned the power of creative entrepreneurship that provides for a variety of communities.