Courtesy of the Center for Food & Action NJ website
Food insecurity is often thought of as a distant issue; however, in reality, it affects families and students in our own communities.
RDHS’s Red Cross Club’s partnership with the Center for Food Action’s Weekend Snack Pack Program plays a key role in addressing food insecurity among students who usually rely on free or reduced-price school meals during the week but don’t have consistent access to meals on the weekends.
Children receive a gallon-sized Ziploc bag filled with shelf-stable snacks and foods that will last through the weekend as a result of donations and volunteer efforts.
Food insecurity means not having reliable access to affordable and nutritious food. It is an important issue that “no one, especially children, should experience,” said Red Cross officers Audrey Abella and Hailey Yihm.
“Our Red Cross Club is taking action to directly combat this by participating in projects like the CFA Weekend Snack Pack Program, providing meals for students over the weekends, as well as other drives like the NJ Active Military Family Emergency Food Drive and our Month of Giving food drive,” they continued.
Participating in donations and drives like this one helps students “not only support families facing food insecurity, but also develop a sense of responsibility and community as they serve those around them.”
Working together on projects that leave a positive impact serves as a reminder that we have the “power to make a difference.”