It’s that time of the year again when you gather around the table with your loved ones; ready to enjoy a filling Thanksgiving meal. Yet, while many are stuffed to the brim, others in our communities are facing hunger. According to Feeding America, in Washington and Oregon, 1,446,510 people are facing this challenge. That’s why Union hosts its annual Fall Food Drive every year.

The purpose of the Fall Food Drive is to help Union families and others in our community during Thanksgiving. It’s something to be proud of: Union has had a long-held commitment, donating annually since Union opened in 2007. The student population is a huge part of the drive, according to student council member Amelia Szewczyk, the student council helps collect and transport the food to Share Vancouver, a local food bank, where all the donations get distributed. This year Amelia is in charge of the 400 building’s donations, working alongside Saraie Meza-Romo, who is in charge of gathering donations from the Theater, Band, and Choir rooms. Shout out to the Theater Department for their hefty donations this year – Saraie reported that they’ve been making notable contributions.

While donations have been good this year, they’ve ranged over the years. It’s been a relief for the community as of late because during the Pandemic there was a sizable dip in donations. But thankfully donations have been back on track, and many families will be fed for this upcoming holiday season. When it comes to donating every little bit helps. Saraie Meza-Romo advised that can openers and money are a great way to get points for class prizes while making worthwhile donations. In addition, Amelia Szewczyk recommended marshmallows for being both fun and well-liked in the boxes. She also mentioned that any high-calorie goods make for a good donation. All in all, Saraie says it well, “Keep donating, it helps families throughout Vancouver!”