ASB is currently hosting a canned food drive to collect food for those in need, and all students can donate non-perishable food items in their third period classes until December 19.
“A standing tradition at UC High is to host a food drive to support individuals and families who may be facing food insecurity during a time where celebrations are centered around community and sharing of food,” said ASB Advisor Samantha Cruz.
“It is important to give back to the community, especially to others who can’t afford it,” said ASB Community Outreach Commissioner Nikki Godwin.
“It is great that ASB hosts food drives because food drives help raise awareness for families and people who are in need and don’t have healthy food to eat everyday,” said Sophomore Ashley Ordaz.
According to a website that provides food assistance to those in need, “One of the biggest problems that families and individuals suffering from poverty, is the lack of access to sufficient, healthy, and balanced food” (serve-helps.org).
“The last two years we have partnered with an organization which would go into communities and provide food and other resources to those who need them,” said Cruz. She said that anyone and everyone are welcome to donate to the canned food drive.
“With the holiday season coming up, it can be extra hard for families in need so really any types of donations help,” said Ordaz.
“It’s important to pay it forward and help others if we are able to. The current economic climate has placed a giant burden on individuals and families when it comes to food,” said Cruz.
“We love a good competition, so third period classes will compete and the top three classes who collect the most in weight will win prizes,” said Cruz.
“There are lots of people who are not able to receive the amount of food they should so if you are able to donate please do, anything helps,” said Ordaz.
According to San Diego Food Bank, “Of San Diego County’s 3.2 million residents, 795,000 are estimated to be nutrition insecure. That’s 1 in 4 (24 percent) San Diegans. Of this number, 204,000 are children, 163,000 are older adults (age 60 plus), and 135,000 of those facing nutrition insecurity are living with disabilities” (sandiegofoodbank.org).
“People are really struggling to make ends meet and food security is a basic and essential human need that everyone deserves. It speaks volumes about those of us who are fortunate enough to provide that help to others,” said Cruz.
“Families should donate if they can afford to because nobody deserves to spend a night without food,” said Godwin.