DELPHOS — The maxim goes that if you give a man a fish you feed him for one day; teach him to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.
The St. John’s Liturgy Team is hoping to help feed, cloth and educate a village with the gift of livestock through Heifer International.
The grassroots organization helps poverty-stricken villages rebuild using livestock paid for through donations. A flock of geese can be bought for $20; a goat for $120; a water buffalo for $250; and a heifer for $500.
A single dairy cow can provide four gallons of milk — enough for a family to drink and share with neighbors. The sale of surplus milk earns money for school fees, medicine, clothing and home improvements. That same cow can produce a calf a year, moving an entire community from poverty to self-reliance.
“When our leader, Kim Honigford, first brought this idea to the team, we were a bit confused about how the program worked,” co-team leader Katie Neumeier said. “Some members were picturing us buying cows and trying to ship them places.”
“Once we understood what would happen, we loved the idea,” co-leader Jessica Alt said.
The four high school classes have been busy with fundraisers so the animal they have designated for their money can be added to the “barn” in the high school hallway. The total raised to date is $2,300 with the freshmen in the lead. The seniors would like to purchase a water buffalo.
Animals in the “barn” so far include two flocks of chicks, which can grow up to lay eggs; a llama for wool; and a heifer.
Fundraisers have included a Valentine’s Day flower sale, a jean day and more. Upcoming are prom T-shirt sales and a raffle for lunch for five at Dick’s Steakhouse in Kalida. The seniors raffled off Religion Teacher Kim Honigford’s parking space for a week.
“Our favorite part of this is that we just aren’t going around and asking for money,” Alt said. “The people know exactly where their money is going and who it will help.”
Honigford said it’s beneficial to all concerned.
“This year’s theme is ‘It’s Time to Take a Stand’ and we decided to take that stand against a lot of things this year and hunger is one of them,” she added. “Now the kids have learned about the program and what just a little bit of money can do for an individual, a family and even a village. They also get the satisfaction of helping others.
“It was amazing to them that a few pails of milk could make such a difference.”
Donations from outside the school can be sent to the parish office, earmarked for Heifer International. Gifts can be specified for particular animals or general.