When tasked with coming up with ways to be involved in the community, the group of upper schoolers decided as a class that they wanted to make a positive change in the form of a food drive.

Advisory is part of Northstar’s proprietary program focused on refining social skills such as personal responsibility, effective communication, coping skills, and self-advocacy. Each month has a different theme. Ms. Lynch’s Advisory class is embracing the monthly theme of “community” with a special service project.

Students discussed a number of ideas such as a hygiene campaign, clothing/coat drive, or even a dog toy collection for a local shelter. Ultimately, the class landed on a food drive.

“This kind of drive is more accessible,” says 9^th grader Emerson about the winning idea. While not everyone could have means to donate a coat, donating an extra can of food is relatively inexpensive in comparison. Plus, food drives are a common, recognizable charitable project and are simpler to organize and advertise. The initiative aims to provide relief to families facing food insecurity in Richmond.

“We talked about what it means to be food insecure,” says English teacher Ms. Lynch, who is leading the initiative. “We can empathize with less fortunate people in our community and help them in a tangible way.” The USDA defines food insecurity as an economic and social condition of limited or uncertain access to adequate food.

“It feels good to help people who need it in our community,” says 10^th grade student Barrington.

When the collection period is over, all donations will be given to Feed More, a local food bank. Feed More distributes prepackaged and cooked meals to people facing food insecurity across 34 Central Virginia districts. Nonperishables, such as canned foods, dry goods, condiments, and spices, are welcome donations. The organization asks for any snack-like donations to be nutritious.

“The food has to be healthy,” says 9^th grade student Evelyn, “So no candy, please.”

Donations will be collected through October 7^th.