With the help of club members and some faculty, the National Honor Society(NHS) is hosting a food and money drive to benefit families in the Souderton community. This annual event will be held between Thanksgiving and Christmas break.
According to NHS advisor Abe Hughes, the event has been a long-standing tradition at Souderton.
“This has been a tradition of the Honor Society at Souderton for many years, so, long before I became an advisor,” Hughes said.
Hughes has been NHS advisor for four years, and each year the fundraiser is a big one, according to Hughes.
“I think it’s the biggest event that we do specifically for our school community and not just for our community at large,” Hughes said. “Most, if not all members, will take part in collecting the food items, as well as sorting the food items.”
With the food drive being held during the holidays, vice president Cassie Rodrique hopes the festiveness will encourage students to donate.
“It is fun how we wrap the boxes in Christmas paper, so it makes it kind of festive for the winter season,” Rodrique said.
These collection boxes are a distinct symbol of this drive. Each of the 160 NHS members are required to bring in a box wrapped in cheerful holiday wrapping paper.
According to first-year member Anna Goodman, these boxes really make a difference during the holiday season.
“I think [the drive] is a great way for our school to make a difference during the holidays,” Goodman said.
She also mentioned that she “enjoys helping to make a difference in the community”.
Rodrique is also devoted to this event because she feels very strongly about helping the Souderton community.
“It means a lot to me because I really value academics and volunteerism and since this club encapsulates both of those aspects, I really find it valuable to my life to be in a position of power,” Rodrique said. “ I feel like I am experienced in both of those areas and I can help make the club a better one.”
President Campbell Bache feels that this event is special to her, but for a different reason.
“It’s special because it’s school-wide, and everyone can get involved and help during the holiday season. It is also big for the community,” Bache said.
As well as being “big” for the community, the drive is also important to Bache because it is “everyone working together for a good cause.”
Bache also added that she thinks more people should get involved.
“The more [people] involved, the better,” Bache said.
Because this event does bring in so much food, sometimes there is extra that doesn’t go to the families. This food is brought to some of the food pantries in the surrounding areas, one being the Keystone Opportunity Center.
With the fundraiser right around the corner, the Honor Society is looking for all sorts of canned goods like canned cranberries and corn. With the help of the whole high school, they could help more families in the district.