Food drives at Champe
This year a new tradition of fundraisers and donation events centralized around food and clothes is starting at John Champe. Throughout the school week, every donation made at Champe goes directly to nearby shelters.
“This is our first year doing a food drive,” sponsor of Red Cross Club Stephanie Ryan said. “I think we are definitely going to make it an annual thing.”
This year at Champe, a new practice is starting that is not for students per se, but for the local Loudoun county community. Champe Red Cross food drives aim to help out families in need, especially during the holiday season with increased prices on almost everything in stores and less food available because of holiday feasts such as Thanksgiving. Though the main reason overall, is to help decrease food insecurity of families during the holidays and to help families be able to get everyday necessities.
“The purpose of these food drives align with Red Cross’s mission of alleviating human suffering and providing relief during times of crisis,” President of Red Cross Club Anika Badatala said. “As food insecurity is a real and ongoing crisis for many families in our community.”
Food insecurity is a very serious issue, and it is not a very known fact that many people throughout the U.S. struggle with it. This insecurity makes it difficult for families to have easy and ready access to food. By doing these food drives, families will not feel food insecure anymore, receive the nourishment they need, and make sure that they have enough food to get through the week. About 7 percent of families in the Loudoun County area struggle to have even one meal guaranteed. But with this drive, the Champe community can personally help families make sure that meals are guaranteed to them during this holiday season.
“This really inspired the idea for running a food drive,” Ryan said. “We wanted to help alleviate the suffering of hungry families by providing donations to the food pantry.”
All donations made go to Dulles South Food Pantry in Dulles as it is nearby Champe and is a very big organization that gives back to the community. This organization also receives other donations such as money to help fund and source food donations. Though the Red Cross Club is only accepting food donations such as pasta, rice, canned food, any non-perishables, and other types of Thanksgiving-themed foods.
“My main goal for these drives is to make a meaningful impact in our community,” Badatala said. “ By providing the essential resources to families who are facing food insecurity.”
