This year, SPUD was a little different. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, many fundraising and service projects had to be revised or completely canceled. Understandably, SPUD was run a little differently this year. “We had to be super flexible because it was really hard to plan in advance… we didn’t really know what we were going to be allowed to do as far as in-person events or virtual events” said Logan Curtis. In fact, for the first time, SPUD decided to give two “SPUD gifts.” Two families from our district were given surprise funding as a gift from spud. “We’ve never ever gifted or named an extra {family} after the fact,” Mr. Boese, the DEN teacher said. “That is what SPUD’s about, is helping our family, the timberwolf family, and we couldn’t think of a better thing to do to help their families.” The Kolinski family were one of those who received a SPUD gift, and they were able to attend the SPUD closing ceremony. This year’s SPUD chairs, Sydney Marler and Kate Housley felt that “people need love and people need support and our school needs to come together now more than ever.” They wanted to emphasize this year that “the bottom line is, you know, spud is about love and inclusivity and helping others… not just throwing money at a problem but truly pouring love and giving back to the community through service.”