Written By: Shirley Guzman
From early November to November 21, the Key Club, in partnership with Ram Nation, the Principal’s Promise Academy, and STEER, organized a food drive to support local families. The groups collected canned goods and non-perishables in the main lobby of Port Chester High School. In support of the holidays, boxes can still be found placed in the center of the school, they will continue to collect food up until Christmas.
Approximately 160 bags of food, each filled with a can of every type of food collected such as gravy and corn, were donated. The initiative is estimated to have provided meals to about 160 families in Port Chester. Along with each bag of food, families were given a turkey, bread, cake, and pastries to have on Thanksgiving.
On Monday, November 21, volunteers from the Anthony Foust Club, Key Club, and Ram Nation met at the Salvation Army Community Center to put together the bags of food. For many, this was their first time volunteering in an initiative such as this one.
“I wanted to give my time and help out the community to do something good,” said Jamilet Lopez, a senior and avid member of Ram Nation,”I hope it [the food drive] puts smiles on peoples faces and helps those that need it”
Like Jamilet, Mr. Avila, guidance counselor and advisor for the Key Club, encourages students to use opportunities like these to give back to the community and to feel good about themselves.
“I think it’s a great opportunity and everyone should be a little bit more on board and a little bit more involved within the community. I feel like you should take full advantage, it’s an opportunity for you to meet new people and be a part of something that’s bigger,” Jamilet adds.
The Key Club and Ram Nation are currently gearing up to organize a holiday toy drive in December, with boxes again placed in the main lobby. For more information on how to help with the initiative contact Mr. Kravitz and Mr. Stabile, Ram Nation advisors, or Ms. Messina and Mr. Avila, Key Club advisors.