Severna Park Schools Tip Food Scales In Annual Food Drive

For the past 36 years, the Anne Arundel County Food Bank has hosted Harvest for the Hungry, a fall drive to collect food and raise funds for the food bank. A staunch supporter of the drive is Anne Arundel County Public Schools, whose participation in the program teaches children valuable lessons about hunger, engages them in giving, and shows them they have the power to make a difference in their community. This past fall, Severna Park High School collected the most funds ($19,585.45) and Oak Hill Elementary’s 620 students collected the most food (6,115 pounds) to top the county public schools lists.

“We are blown away by the generous support of participating schools in Severna Park, which go above and beyond every year to support their neighbors experiencing food insecurity,” said Leah Paley, chief executive officer of the Anne Arundel County Food Bank. “Many of these schools have staff and/or teacher coordinators who are deeply involved in the food drive, working closely with school administrators and parent-teacher organizations to devise creative ways for students and families to participate.”

Since 1996, the county’s public schools have donated more than 6 million pounds of food to the food bank. This school year, Harvest for the Hungry collected the equivalent of 170,704 pounds of food, and students collected just over 105,000 pounds of shelf-stable food and raised $65,555, according to food bank tallies.

“This is roughly 7% of the total food donations we receive each year,” Paley added. “It may sound like a small percentage, but considering the volume of donations we receive from grocery stores, it’s a significant amount of community-based giving.”

The food bank works with 76 network partners that operate food, baby and senior pantries across 117 distribution points throughout the county. These partners also run feeding centers and soup kitchens, as well as prepare weekend meal kits for eligible Anne Arundel County Public Schools students through the Backpack Buddies program. The funds raised help purchase fresh produce and lean proteins that contribute to well-balanced, nutritional meals for county neighbors in need. Last fiscal year, the Anne Arundel Food Bank distributed more than 3.4 million pounds of food and necessities to the network partners.

Paley said there is an increased demand at food pantries across the county. Part of this, she said, stems from cuts to federal food benefits last year. On average, food bank network partners are assisting 48,000 neighbors in need each month, which is 13% more than last year at this time.

“I think a lot of us think of Anne Arundel County as being very affluent. But in reality, about 35% of county residents are living below the poverty line or are employed but struggling to pay for basic necessities, like rent, health care, utilities and transportation,” Paley said. “Even in Severna Park, about one in five people are having difficulty keeping up with bills and look for support from organizations like food pantries supported by Anne Arundel County Food Bank.”

Paley’s own children attend Oak Hill Elementary School, where a week-long spirit week was held to encourage families to donate certain food items frequently requested by neighbors seeking food assistance.

One day during the food-drive week, students were encouraged to bring breakfast items and were allowed to wear their pajamas to school. On another day, students were asked to bring canned fruit and were encouraged to wear bright rainbow colors.

John and Michelle Mastandrea were the Oak Hill drive co-chairs for the second time. Michelle said classes competed against each other to be the top donating class in their grade level, and top class overall. The top donating class in each grade level earned an extra recess, and the top donating class overall earned a pizza party.

“Many of our students were motivated and interested when they learned of the project’s purpose and that it helps children in our local community. This was eye-opening for them to see the need close to home,” Michelle said. “It is empowering for our youngest community members to be able to recognize a need and take action to help. Our school focuses on character traits each month and we often discuss empathy. This was a perfect opportunity for our students to put their empathy practices to work.”

Severna Park High School set a goal of $15,000, and the 2,000 students exceeded their goal by more than $4,500. Math teacher Elizabeth Meadows has led the school’s Harvest for the Hungry efforts for 10 years. This year, a March Madness-like bracket system had first period classes facing off against each other, with the highest donor classrooms advancing to the next round.

“Our community has always done a wonderful job of giving to Harvest for the Hungry,” Meadows said. “Our parents and teachers believe it’s important for students to be involved in giving back to your community. These kids are the future decision-makers and we want to provide them opportunities to learn about social issues so they have a broader perspective as they head into adulthood.”

Paley said she and the food bank really appreciate the many creative ways that Severna Park area students, faculty and staff, and parents come together to raise awareness, food and funds for the organization’s important work.

To support the food bank’s mission to alleviate food insecurity in Anne Arundel County, volunteer to sort and prepare food donations for distribution to food bank partners. Or host a drive and collect low-sodium, low-sugar, high-fiber, shelf-stable food. Support is always needed.

Paley said donations tend to decline in the spring and summer, so those are great seasons to host a drive. Monetary donations are always welcome and are used to purchase fresh produce, lean proteins, and culturally responsive foods.

Information about food drives, volunteering and donating can be found at www.aafoodbank.org.