The annual VHHS canned food drive took place a couple of weeks ago, starting on the twenty-first of October and ending on the fourth of November. The school set a goal to bring in 20,000 cans total, hoping for around 15,000 from the main campus and 5,000 from the freshman campus. This was an ambitious goal, but it gave the students and staff more motivation to bring in canned goods. By second period on November fourth, about 24,000 cans were counted by student volunteers and teachers.
The canned goods that the school collects are sent to Love in Action and the food pantry at the Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church. Stated directly on their website, “Love in Action is a non-profit corporation food pantry serving the greater Birmingham area. We serve between 65 and 98 families each month with food and clothing” (https://www.loveinactionbham.org). The corporation also works with many other food pantries and churches that also aim to improve people’s quality of life and help those who cannot help themselves. Also, they are always in need of volunteers!
The canned food drive is so important for so many reasons. It teaches students the value of giving back to the community and to those in need while simultaneously bringing the school together to reach a common goal. At the same time, though, it is a competition promising free food to whichever second period and club brings in the most cans. Because of the rule that three servings is equal to one can, people were bringing in some never-before-seen nonperishables. For instance, this may be one of the first years numerous students were bringing in ten-, twenty-, and even fifty-pound bags of rice, and different kinds of it too. Other honorable mentions include huge jars of peanut butter, apple sauce, and so many green beans. But more competition means a better outcome for those in need, and that is what really matters. The winners still have not been officially announced, but they will receive recognition for their hard work soon.
Freddie Nelson, a senior who helped with the drive, said it was “truly one of the best things [he has] been able to do and it’s generally a great thing that the school does. Knowing that we are helping feed families from Thanksgiving through Easter is just amazing.” And he’s right—the students and staff alike should be very proud of themselves because 24,000 cans goes a long way.
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