AMSA Honor Students Host Successful Food Drive

In these tough financial times, the role of food banks have become even more crucial as more and more Massachusetts residents are seeking help to put food on the table. There continues to be a significant need for more food, and the spring is the time of year when contributions are typically at their lowest. The National Honor Society (NHS) is a national organization of U.S. high school students established to uphold the ideals of scholarship, character, leadership and service. The Advanced Math and Science Academy's (AMSA's) chapter of the NHS, wrapped up its first year by organizing a can drive where they collected over 1700 canned goods from AMSA's students during the month of April.

Studies indicate that nearly one in 11 people in Massachusetts visit a food pantry, soup kitchen, or shelter and the number of people using the emergency food assistance network has increased over 23 percent since 2006. Tim Whalen, AMSA senior and president of the National Honor Society points out, “We considered several yearly projects and after looking at the statistics about hunger in Massachusetts, we thought this was one we could all support.”

The Students wanted to do something fun with their collection of cans prior to making the donation and originally had intended to construct a Lawn Sculpture in front of the Walker Building which houses Marlborough Community Services and the local Food Pantry to bring awareness to hunger within the community. But best laid plans and all the goodwill in their hearts was bested by Mother Nature and the rain on Wednesday forced the students to come up with a “Plan B”. The Charter School’s neighbor ForeKicks Outdoor and Indoor Sports Complex, owned by Pat and Tom Teager came to their rescue! ForeKicks serves as a collection site for the Marlborough Food Pantry and regularly conducts their own can drives to support Marlborough Community Services. When hearing about the weather washing out the student’s plans, ForeKicks owners graciously offered to donate an indoor field to stage their cans donations.

Thirty four  students along with their sponsors, Kristen Small and Jessica Bowen, constructed the “Turf Sculpture” which  read “NEED!” written in cans. The main goal of the Advanced Math & Science Academy Charter School’s National Honor Society students was to raise  the awareness of hunger within our community.  Marlborough Community Services, executive director, Fatinha Kerr, echoed the mission statement of the “Stamp Out Hunger Drive”, by saying, “Hunger should not be an option for anyone in our city!” The STAMP OUT HUNGER! Campaign is on Saturday May 14. To participate, all that Marlborough residents need do is to place a bag or box with donated non-perishable food next to their mailbox before the letter carrier delivers mail. The carrier will take all of the donations to the MCSI Food Pantry, for sorting and storage. Donations may also be dropped off at ForeKicks Outdoor and Indoor Sports complex, located at 219 Forest Street in Marlborough.

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