Port Moody students give back on Downtown Eastside

Students from Heritage Woods Secondary School in Port Moody spent the afternoon at Vancouver's Oppenheimer Park to try and spread some cheer.

65 students in the club Kodiaks With A Purpose KWAP went to the park to give out food, toiletries, clothes and wrapped gifts to impoverished people.

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It's a monthly event for students of teacher Marilyn Nunn.

"By doing this they're learning that we're all just people on this earth," she told On The Coast's Jason D'Souza. "Most importantly, more than the things we're giving out, is watching the interactions our students actually have with people. Treating them respectfully, finding out some of their stories. It's more like bonding."

Grade 12 student Sydney Schluter has been in the club since Grade 9.

She says it was, at first, intimidating to come to a neighbourhood like the Downtown Eastside and work with people who've had to struggle.

"But as I've come through the years, you realize these are just people," she said. "They want the same things as you. You can interact with them, you can become friends with them. And it's just so rewarding to see that we're coming together and making their day a lot better."

Roslyn Mattleby is from Alert Bay, but now lives on the Downtown Eastside. She has been getting to know the kids in KWAP for many years.

"They help the community out so well with food and clothing," she said "It's really appreciated what they do.

"Just seeing them, I wish I'd gone through school. I'm so proud of them all. I live alone now, and it's just like a big family, just to see young people like this."

With files from Jason D'Souzaand CBC Radio One's On The Coast

To hear the full story, click the audio labelled:Port Moody students give back on Downtown Eastside