SOUTHWICK – A freshman at Southwick Regional School organized a food drive that has generated almost 500 pounds of canned food to go to the Our Community Food Pantry.
Nora Reilly, an eighth grader at Southwick Regional School, is part of Project 351, a non-profit and youth-driven organization in Massachusetts first launched by former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick in 2011, allows eighth graders to make a difference in their community. Every town in the state is required to have a student be selected for Project 351 to represent their community.
Reilly is seen stocking some of the canned goods that were donated to her food drive that benefits the Our Community Food Pantry. (Photo from Sally Munson)
Three projects are required in order to be an eighth-grade ambassador of Project 351. Reilly did a clothing drive last spring, a tribute service in 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 Regional Unity Core (RUC). The RUC is the alumni group for former Project 351 ambassadors to help current eighth graders.
Reilly’s food drive took place from November 19 to December 8 and the Our Community Food Pantry was very impressed with her collection of 500 pounds.
“She’s generally interested in doing the right thing,” said Sally Munson, Director of the Our Community Food Pantry. “She did a great job.”
Reilly sorted out all of the canned goods to make sure nothing was expired. Donation boxes for the food drive were set up at the regional school, the town hall, and the public library.
Munson believes that the great gesture of community service from the high school students will make a big impact to the pantry.
“We’ll be able to give out more food for the holidays,” said Munson.
A non-profit organization, the Our Community Food Pantry serves individuals and families throughout Southwick, Granville, and Tolland who are in need of food on a daily basis.
