Schools
King Philip Students Hold Food Drive For Those Impacted By Coronavirus
Two King Phillip Regional students held a successful food drive to support individuals in need due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
June 16, 2020 by jgprmmuldowney
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WRENTHAM, MA — Superintendent Paul Zinni is pleased to share that two King Phillip Regional School District students held a successful food drive to support individuals in need due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Neel McGrath, an eighth grade student at King Philip Regional Middle School, and Samantha Asperelli, a sophomore at King Philip Regional High School, organized a food drive through their volunteer work with Project 351.
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Both students began the project by texting their friends and posting on Facebook about collection times and locations. They accepted monetary donations as well.
The students raised $450 and collected 400 food donations for the Wrentham Food Pantry and local families in need.
McGrath currently serves as the Wrentham Ambassador for Project 351, a nonprofit organization in which eighth-graders in each community in the state are selected by their teachers for a 12-month program of service learning, leadership development and civic engagement. Asperelli is a former Project 351 Ambassador, and currently serves as McGrath’s mentor.
McGrath and Asperelli were inspired by Project 351’s “Service Leadership Academy,” which each week focused on a particular issue, such as the environment, poverty, or homelessness. During the week of hunger, Project 351 suggested executing a food drive in their own communities.
After hearing about their success, Project 351 invited both students to share their project with the whole Project 351 community in a weekly virtual meeting with over 150 participants.
“I’m sure it was nerve-wracking for them to present to such a large audience, but it was such an amazing opportunity for them,” said Student Ambassadors Co-Advisor Lisa McIntyre. “Their thoughtful actions have helped local families during such a hard time for many.”
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This press release was produced by the King Philip Schools. The views expressed here are the author’s own.