From November 10-20, students and teachers were invited to participate in the annual Haven Helps canned food drive. Haven Helps members got the word out by making flyers to place in each of the classrooms.
All proceeds benefited the Delco Food Bank and in total, over 3,300 cans were donated.
Haven Helps had an extra motivation this year with the government shutdown. Many people lost Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits during the shutdown. SNAP provides money to low-income families to pay for food.
“I hope to help people in need, especially with the government shutdown, and just help people who need it,” Cielo said.
Over 100 students joined the club, according to Haven Helps advisor Mrs. Beth Benzing.
Senior Daniel Melvin wanted to give back to the community that helped him as a kid.
“I mean, honestly, I had problems like this since I was a kid, I used to need the help from all the churches and all that. So I said, Why not help out? Help other people. Help collect all the cans,” Melvin said.
Sophomore Kelliann Corey thinks that Haven Helps is a great way to give back to your community. She enjoys volunteering and being able to make a difference in people’s lives.
“I like seeing the impact that it can make, you know, benefiting families who may need the extra support,” Corey said.
Sophomore Jaya Schwartz also enjoys helping families in need. She finds that it’s always important to help someone, even if they don’t show it.
“I like having the relief and knowing yourself that you did something good,” Schwartz said.
Benzing saw a really positive reaction from the people involved. She thinks that everyone was truly interested in helping and really wanted to help make a difference.
“I’ve never seen a kid donate a can without a smile on their face. Ever in all my years doing this. In fact, people who even watch someone be gracious and give and give gratitude also are happy around that person, so they smile around them as well,” Benzing said.
