With the cost of living still a growing concern, students at St. Patrick's High School are coming together to help their own.
They've launched a school-wide foodbank called '"Patty's Pantry", complete with a freezer, with the goal of addressing the prominent issue of food insecurity.
The initiative is being done in partnership with Lambton College's Enactus program.
Project Manager and Grade 12 student Jaxon Hudie said the project started in Miss Woodward's Business Leadership and Management class.
"Enactus drove home the point of the importance of social entrepreneurship," said Hudie. "So, the idea came from our business teacher. She said her old school had this student pantry where all students were welcome to come in and grab food and bring home."
Hudie said it's just another way they can help one another.
"At St. Pat's, we have a program called the Breakfast Club where students can come in and grab food so they're not hungry throughout the day," he said. This is more to substitute food at home. Students can come into the pantry room and grab a meal or a snack to bring home to their families so they aren't hungry at home."
Hudie said they did some research which provided insight into just how serious the situation is.
"We did some research, and our Student Success teacher gave us a number of roughly 20 students (in need)," he said. "Clearly, people are proud and won't share those details. After doing some Ontario-wide research, we found that one out of five students suffer from food insecurity. In our school of 1,450 students, that's 290 students or about four per classroom."
Hudie said cash, cheques, and food donations are being accepted, and anyone who donates above $50 will get their name on the donor wall.
"Food is definitely the most important. Last week, we bought our first round of groceries and it cost just under $100. The stock is already almost out after just a few operating days."
For more information, and to donate, call Hudie at 226-349-6763 or email him at jaxon.hudie054@sccdsb.net.