Kit Clemente
Reporter
According to the Lower Food Bank of Fairfield County, one in every five children in Connecticut has the probability of going hungry or being hungry. In just two years, the demand for emergency food in Lower Fairfield County alone has doubled. This holiday season, many members of NCHS and the community are gearing up for a season full of philanthropy.
Efforts of the student coalition and student led clubs
NCHS’s Student Coalition kicked off the holiday season by collecting $1,200 worth of change for their annual turkey drive held the week of Nov. 21. “Every year we do this as a way to better our community and help those who are truly in need. The Fairfield County Food Bank is a wonderful organization that deserves donations; it is almost our duty to raise money for them,” junior member of Student Coalition Harrison Besser said.
Vice President of Student Coalition senior Kellianne Hickey also stressed the importance of helping others by making sure to donate to the school toy drive organized annually from Nov. 30-Dec. 15. “The drive is run by the Marine Corps, and the money we collect is used to buy presents for underprivileged children,” she said. “It’s a great charity, and we hope that everyone will donate money because it means a lot to the kids to have some presents during the holiday season.”
Another event, the Turkey Drive, led by junior Courtney Cole also aided in raising money to provide Thanksgiving meals for the less fortunate. Courtney created the Food Bank Volunteers Club advised by science teacher Jenny Chieda to organize the Turkey Drive that donates both money and turkeys to the Food Bank of Lower Fairfield County. Since it was started in 2010, the Turkey Drive has grown to be immensely successful. “This year the club collected 70 turkeys and raised over $5,000 for the Food Bank. We’ve made a lot of progress since the club was started,” Courtney said.
“It’s an amazing feeling to give back and know that you have touched others’ lives,” Courtney added. “When the club went to drop off the donations we collected, the manager of the Food Bank, Kate Lombardo, was so moved she was in tears. It was wonderful to know the club helped those in need and really made a difference.”
In transition to December, the Free the Children Club has organized a book drive that will run throughout the holiday season that will collect books for youth in the area. “We want to ensure that all children, no matter their current state, get to experience the joy and fun associated with the holidays,” Junior Liza Swindell said.
New Canaan food pantry in full swing
The New Canaan Food Pantry, located in St. Marks Church and run by the New Canaan Department of Health and Human Services, works tirelessly during the holidays to give back to the community.
According to volunteer Liz Schmidt, the holiday season brings a greater need for food items such as stuffing, gravy, gift cards for meat, cake mix and other specialty items. “Everyone can get involved by donating food items. A simple way to help is to check the newspaper weekly for our list of needed food items. Anyone can purchase them at Walter Stewarts and leave them in the box by the exit door,” Ms. Schmidt explained. “Those who want to be involved can also drop off shelf stable food items at the Food Pantry, and gifts of money are also accepted because we can use the money to stock the pantry when certain items are running low. Volunteers can help volunteer by distributing food and helping to stock shelves when we get a big donation.”
“There are many people who need a little help and while many organizations focus on the big cities, it helps to realize that you can make a big impact right in your own backyard,” Ms. Schmidt said. “There is a definite need right here in New Canaan and I like the idea of neighbor helping neighbor.”
Service groups support the community
Organizations, such as National Charity League (NCL) and Service League of Boys (SLOBs), have also gotten into the charitable spirit.
NCL member junior Jessica Laird participates in many of the holiday events that NCL organizes, including helping out at Person-to-Person and the Nutcracker Tea. “We host events such as the Holiday Party,” she said. “They are a great way to combine holiday fun with philanthropy. During the Holiday Party we eat Christmas cookies and get to socialize, but we also make stockings for the Domestic Violence Crisis Center and donate gifts to them.”
Co-President of SLOBs, senior Jackson Busch, explained the impact the program has had on the community. “The holiday season is a huge time for giving and giving back, so SLOBs has a range of activities, including the holiday tree exchange that dads and sons usually do together. The tree exchange is wonderfully organized, and all the proceeds go to the community.”
Some say that members of NCHS and the community have aided others during this holiday time. “I think the holiday season is a time you really spend with family and friends to celebrate the years and reflect on all the wonderful privileges you have,” Jackson said. “This compels you and makes you want to give back to others during this time.”
