Thursday, November 8, 2018

FOOD FOR THOUGHTFULNESS

By DANIELLE IMPERATO

During the holiday season, many people look for ways to help those who are less fortunate as there are so many that do not have enough food or money to feed their families.  The Community Service Club at Washingtonville High School is no exception.  The members of this benevolent club are always looking for ways to better the community.  Each year, without fail, they hold a food drive that helps to make the season bright for so many members of Wizard Nation.

The Community Service Club was created in 2002 by Mrs. Wurster in an effort to introduce her students to Habitat For Humanity in Newburgh.  After this excursion, our Wizards wanted to get involved in making an impact, so they expanded the club.  Ms. Frey joined the club in 2007 as a second advisor as did Mrs. Angelillo.  

The idea to hold an annual food drive was derived in 2009 when many club members started volunteering at the local food pantry on a regular basis; they wanted to help the families that relied on the organization as much as possible, especially during the holidays.

This year’s food drive will begin on Tuesday, November 13th and will continue until Friday, November 16th. There will be drop boxes to collect food to give to the less fortunate. These boxes can be found at the high school in the main office, the athletic office, the library and the front desk. The club will be looking for non-perishable food items and also foods that are Thanksgiving related. 

Once the boxes are collected, the club members will be making full Thanksgiving meals in decorative baskets.  Our school’s social workers will then be delivering them to the families in the school district that need them most.  All donated items that are not used for the food baskets will be given to the County Kids Food Pantry. 

One of the club advisors, Ms. Frey, expressed the joy it brings her being able to help the school and community during these times. “It’s been really gratifying knowing that we are not only helping locally through the food pantry, but that we are helping really locally in the school.”  Mrs. Frey went on to say, “I don’t know who the specific students or families who get the food are, as it is all anonymous, but it is just nice to know that it is students helping students and staff helping students and their families during this time period.” 

Senior, Meaghan King, who is a part of the National Honor Society, is very excited to donate cans of food this upcoming week. Meaghan emphasized why she is so excited to donate. “I plan to donate because I know it’s for a good cause.  This is so important to me because there are so many families that need our help.  Without people stepping up and donating, these families during the holidays will be short of food and I always want to give people all that I can to help out their situations.” 

Another school that is participating in the food drive is Round Hill Elementary. They are collecting non-perishable foods as well during the week of November 5th. Their drive will be ending on November 16th.  To donate food to Round Hill, send food items in with students. 

It doesn’t take a tremendous amount of time to make a big difference in the lives of others.  Every donation counts.  Not only will donating help others and make you feel good, students can also obtain a community service hour for every five items of food donated. 

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