This past November, John Carroll’s Romero Service Club hosted their annual Thanksgiving Food Drive. All donations were sent to Bel Air United Methodist and St. Francis de Sales Food Pantries.

Service Learning Coordinator Susan Strawbridge said she was “overwhelmed by the response… Everything started off really slowly, but everyone really seemed to get involved.”
Students were notified on what to bring during Advisory. Some suggestions were canned foods, pasta, peanut butter, and soup.
A non-perishable item that was not recommended was Ramen Noodles.
Mrs. Strawbridge said, “Students have always tried to get them to get the can count up, but that’s not the most nutritious thing, so we usually discourage them.”
Mrs. Strawbridge said, “Unfortunately the need (for food) has gotten much stronger because of COVID. Pantries are having an increase of recipients coming in. They give to seniors; they give to families, and now that people aren’t working and parents don’t have two-person income, the need is much higher.”
Students had the opportunity to help sort the canned food, and on Friday, November 19, nine members of the Romero Service Club went to deliver the food to the churches.
Junior Giada Scotto Di Carlo who been involved with the food drive for the past two years said, “I think that the canned food drive is super important. Having helped with the canned food drive for two years now, I can say that the best feeling is getting together with other people to deliver those cans. You really realize the impact you’re making and realize the amount of meals you are contributing to others. It is overall a great experience, and I would recommend for anyone to help out if they can.”
There is likely going to be a food drive later this year in the spring.
Mrs. Strawbridge explained this was because “people aren’t just hungry during the holidays.”
She continued, “People are hungry. We are so fortunate, so many of us, to not be hungry. Hopefully students understand that.”