John P. Stevens High School FCCLA Kicks Off the New Year with an Inspiring Commitment to Service

FCCLA, Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America, is a student-led organization that is committed to using leadership skills and teamwork to help make an impact in the community. They promote Family Consumer Sciences and Career and Technical Education, while also addressing issues in the community including food insecurity and homelessness, and they host multiple events and donation drives every year to help.

The John P. Stevens High School chapter started off the school year strong and they have brought that momentum with them into 2026. JPS FCCLA has made huge strides this school year, helping the community in multiple ways, through their teamwork, hard work, and service. They’ve partnered with the Covenant House, the Ronald McDonald House, the Middlesex Replenish Food Pantry, the Ozanam Family Shelter, and many other non-profits. This year they collected 1,773 aluminum pull tabs for the Ronald McDonald House, 12 pounds of non-perishable goods for the Middlesex Replenish Food Pantry, 500+ pieces of clothing for the Ozanam Family Shelter, and 70+ pieces of school supplies for the Covenant House.

Additionally, JPS FCCLA brought their initiative to life through their project: Feed and Flourish with FCCLA. They partnered with the Hands of Hope Food Pantry in Edison, New Jersey, to help them in their mission to mitigate food insecurity, by hosting a monthly food drive and donating meal kits. These meal kits would have non perishable goods that could make a meal for up to 4 people. From January up until June, Feed and Flourish was able to donate 140+ meal kits/birthday cake kits and additional goods, and they were able to feed nearly 500+ people. In an effort to spread awareness about their initiative, Feed and Flourish sent a video describing their efforts in for a national competition: Explore, Act, Tell. This competition is dedicated to encouraging students to help combat hunger and food insecurity through community projects. Feed and Flourish with FCCLA won this competition and received a $2,500 grant to continue their efforts and help the community.

Recently, they have hosted the Sleep Out for the Covenant House, where students gave up their beds for a night to experience the difficulties of those facing homelessness. Additionally, they currently have their ongoing initiatives which includes the World Food Programme Free Rice initiative, where students can answer questions and donate grains of rice for every question they get right. They are also hosting a monthly food drive to package meal kits for the Hands of Hope Food Pantry.

These FCCLA members have brought the meaning of service to a new level and they are striving to continue serving through the “Ultimate Leadership Experience”.