OE won the food drive in the school districts competition to earn donations, at the Crosstown football game last Friday. The contest raised over 413,000 total items for families in need.
A food drive is an opportunity for a school community to come together and support people in need. At the SD#308 high schools, though, we use a friendly competition to motivate donations and celebrate the school that collects the most, all as part of an annual district-wide food drive for the Kendall County Community Food Pantry (KCCFP).
The KCCFP is an organization that distributes food and other donations to give to anyone in need for no cost. The KCCFP is constantly seeking volunteers to help. Students can sign up to volunteer through the Kendall County Food Pantry, where they can participate on certain Friday evenings in roles like Set Up, Food Room Assistants, Hallway Monitors, Outside Cart Attendants, or assisting with the Drive-Up Line. All of these roles have benefited the food drives outcome.
“I just want to help the community in the way that I can, and I feel like this is a way that I can pretty easily,” Food Drive organizer and OH science teacher Lauren Landando said.
The food drive isn’t just about donating food, but also connecting with and supporting others in the community, fostering help and friendship.
Oh sophomore Nathaly Valdez said, “It’s been amazing. I’ve gotten to meet so many new people, and I like to listen to their stories and why they come.”
The donations have helped a wide range of people, including low income families, individuals in crisis, and people with food insecurity.
OH science teacher Elizabeth Gustin said, “For me, it’s super important because it literally impacts our community. I live in Boulder Hill, so it’s definitely a direct connection.”
The KCCFP makes a direct impact on the community, and greatly influences many people, including those who use it as a way to give back and be involved in the community.
Overall, OH and OE have done a great job collecting donations and bringing people together. The food drive is more than just winning a trophy, it is supporting families in need and giving students an opportunity to be leaders. The OH and OE volunteers and donors have made a lasting impact on the community.
