Unopened Christmas gifts piled up in the Pine Lake Middle School cafeteria, while students sorted and labeled like elves.

For a school centered in an affluent neighborhood, food and toy drives are a way to teach kids that Sammamish isn’t the status quo.

“The kids really do care,” said teacher Roy Cress. “The challenge is helping them to remember and act.”

With a stack from each class, it was clear to the teens what classes were generous and which ones were forgetful.

While two girls laughed in surprise by how one pile was stacked, another exclaimed, “Well, this kid isn’t getting much.”

Altogether the families were generous, filling a few pallets with gifts for the Issaquah Food Bank’s Christmas basket drive.

A collection of gift cards helped the school even out the baskets.

Before the middle school started the toy drive, it also collected 3,400 pounds of food.

“Part of our desire is helping them learn values such as helping others,” Cress said.

Some kids were surprised to find what others didn’t already have.

“Some families were asking for things that my family already has,” said sixth-grader Melissa Carpenter.

Others were just happy to participate.

“It’s kind of hard to think there are people less fortunate than us, and it feels good to help them out,” said seventh-grader Alex Baker.

Ally Kruper, left, and Katherine Adams sort through gifts students donated to the Issaquah Food Bank Christmas Basket drive.

Celeste Gracey/Issaquah Reporter