From Dec. 8 to 15, Student Government is partnering with the Voyager to host a food and toy drive at H-F. 

The idea first came to junior class secretary Nia Allen while watching the news. “I keep up with what’s going on in the world. I saw what was going on with the government shutdown and SNAP benefits. I could see this was going to be a really tough time for a lot of people, and I wanted to find a way to help,” Allen said. 

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a joint federal and state program whose benefits are used to help less fortunate families get the food they need. During the government shutdown from Oct. 1 to Nov. 12, the November benefits were delayed, affecting many people in need.

Allen immediately reached out to junior class president Sydney Flaherty, who loved the idea. “I thought it was the perfect opportunity to give back to the community and potentially make someone’s day during the holiday season,” Flaherty said. 

The displays are set up in front of A Building as well as both the South and North Cafeterias, and donations are being taken during Compass classes throughout the week. 

Allen and Flaherty request that students bring in gently used or brand-new toys and canned foods. “Kids who are less fortunate shouldn’t be subjected to hand-me-downs; they deserve new things just like everyone else,” Allen sympathized. “It’s also just for sanitary reasons, you never know what kids do with their toys.” 

Canned and non-perishable foods are preferred because they don’t expire, can be stored in food banks for months to come and won’t create waste. 

Allen reached out to Bloom Township Food Pantry for the drive. The food bank, located in Chicago Heights, has been open since 2014. In an interview with the H-F Chronicle, director Susana Long shared that the pantry’s clients almost doubled during the government shutdown, rising from between 120 and 150 per day to between 200 and 220. 

The Student Government Executive Board has dedicated its efforts to raising awareness about the fundraiser and reminding students to donate through posters and word of mouth. Voyager students visited Compass classes throughout the week to advertise for the drive. 

Allen would love for this to become a tradition. “I would definitely like to do this again next year, and I’m hoping it stays around well after I graduate. The idea came to me because of the SNAP crisis, but food drives are always helpful, especially during the holiday season,” Allen affirmed. 

Even if you can’t donate, Flaherty encourages all students to be thinking about those less fortunate year-round. “You should always be aware of your privilege, be looking for ways to help those in need and spread awareness about any local fundraisers,” she stated.