The NASH front lobby took on the look of a grocery store last Friday during homeroom. The annual Student Council Canned Food Drive wrapped up the week-long initiative with a collection that will positively impact the greater Pittsburgh region just in time for Thanksgiving.
“The main beneficiary of our food drive is the North Hills Food Bank,” NASH StuCo sponsor and Tech Ed teacher Mr. Karolski said. “Between us and NAI, we combine for over a total of 75% of the donations they receive, so we are big contributors.”
Although food insecurity spiked during the pandemic, the problem continues to challenge many families in the region and across the country. In the Pittsburgh region, 22% of people face this issue, and in the United States, the food insecurity rate is 12.8%, or one in every eight Americans.
According to the North Hills Food Bank website, the nonprofit serves 225 families per month in the region. The organization, which has served the community for nearly 40 years, has no paid employees — it is run entirely by volunteers.
“Student Council has been running Canned Food Drive at NASH for a good three decades, going all the way back to the early 90s,” Karolski added. “They are a huge part of the success we have had running this food drive, and we don’t plan on stopping.”
StuCo President Sam Lopuszynski was especially pleased with this year’s total collection.
“Combining monetary and canned donations, we received close to 6,000 cans from NASH students,” Lopuszynski said. “It will greatly help the food bank this month.”
The food bank makes it as easy as possible for NASH to donate.
“They bring a truck here and help us get all of our donated food back to their facility, Lopuszynski explained.
In fact, canned food was not the only donation this year.
“We’ve also garnered around $2,000 in cash donations, which is amazing and will be a huge help to those in need,” Lopuszynski added..
StuCo Service Committee head Connor Fadgen was also at the forefront of the drive.
“This year we were able to expand into the community and crush our original donation goal,” Fadgen said. “We are proud of our donation. And I’m glad to say this will certainly make a difference to our less fortunate neighbors this holiday season.”
Students who missed the opportunity to donate through the StuCo drive can still make a positive impact on local food insecurity. The donations page on the North Hills Food Bank site includes directions and a list of items of which the organization is most in need.
