SOUTHWICK – Nora Reilly, a freshman at Southwick Regional School, has organized a food drive to benefit the Our Community Food Pantry that serves Southwick, Granville, and Tolland.
The food drive is a part of Project 351, a non-profit and youth-driven organization in Massachusetts that allows eighth graders to make a difference in their community. Project 351 was first launched by former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick in 2011, and has been continued by Gov. Charlie Baker. Every town in the state is required to have a student be selected for Project 351 to represent their community.
Students are required to do three projects in order to be an eighth-grade ambassador of Project 351. Reilly did a clothing drive this past spring, a tribute service during the summer, and now the food drive. Despite needing to be in eighth grade to be a Project 351 ambassador, Reilly applied to be a part of the RUC (Regional Unity Core). The RUC is the alumni group for former Project 351 ambassadors to help current eighth graders.
Reilly is organizing the food drive to benefit the Our Community Food Pantry of Southwick, Granville, and Tolland. (Submitted photo)
Reilly’s food drive started on November 19 and will last until December 8. Accepting mostly canned goods but also things like cereal and macaroni boxes, Reilly has already received around 60 canned goods. All food that is donated will go towards the Our Community Food Pantry so they can feed people in Southwick, Granville, and Tolland that are in desperate need.
“Hunger is something I’m most passionate about,” said Reilly. “It’s really sad knowing a lot of people don’t have the things people usually have.”
According to Feeding America, one in every eight children in Massachusetts suffers from hunger and that’s an issue for Reilly.
“I wanted to fix that,” said Reilly.
Reilly’s focus about stopping hunger with the food drive also coincides with her compassion for the Our Community Food Pantry.
“I really hope that people recognize the problem and help out Our Community Food Pantry,” said Reilly. “They donate their time, dedicate their time, purely out of the goodness of their hearts, I think it’s really important to notice that.”
Rachel Deery, who’s the seventh and eighth grade guidance counselor at Southwick Regional School, has been overseeing Reilly and what she’s been able to accomplish as part of Project 351.
“I’m so proud of Nora and I feel like she really embraced the opportunity last year,” said Deery. “I hope that everyone turns out and donates.”
If anyone is interested in donating to Reilly’s food drive, donation boxes are set up at the Southwick Regional School, the Southwick Town Hall, and the Southwick Public Library.
