North Central’s annual food drive came to a close after many donations from students around the school and community to help Washington Township families in the holiday season.
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For more than 200 families, the canned food drive is able to make the difference between worrying about grocery funds and being able to breathe a little easier during the holidays.
“The goal is to make sure families don’t have to spend money on groceries during that time,” sponsor of Key Club, Lynda McQuiston, said.
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Each year, social workers create an anonymous list of students and families who may need support. This same effort stretches around Washington Township, at every level.
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Once the list is created, food starts to be collected. This year, the House War’s money was used to buy more perishable items like milk, bread, and items that were not previously purchased for families.

Students’ donations and other contributions from the community make up all of the non-perishable items. “Families walk away with five or six bags of meaningful, balanced food, not just ten cans of the same thing,” McQuiston said

The impact of the food drive does not end on the distribution day but lasts well beyond holiday break, giving families time to put any grocery money towards other goods and necessities like bills, clothing, and gifts. For some, the small relief can bring more stability during stressful times.

For students, the drive can leave a mark as well, seeing how donations can directly help classmates.

“Donating made me feel like I was really helping people and made me feel good,” sophomore Joelle Pulfer said.
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As students continued to donate, it created a stronger sense of community throughout the school, and even the smallest things were able to help many families in need.

As the food drive came to an end, it was more than just canned goods, it’s about students supporting students and a school community taking care of each other, one meal at a time.