Thankful to Give
Published 5:23 pm Tuesday, November 29, 2022
- Volunteers (right) representing the Community Outreach Center join with Hertford County High School administrative staff to load boxes with canned goods donated by the school as part of their “Bear Pride” Food Drive. Staff Photo by Cal Bryant
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AHOSKIE – Teaching young people to help the less fortunate within their local communities is a “win-win” proposition.
HCHS Principal Ronica Watford rolls out a cart full of food items donated to local churches and food pantries. Staff Photo by Cal Bryant
The end result the “Bear Pride” Food Drive here at Hertford County High School served as a “teaching” moment while at the same time put food items on the tables of those reeling from an economic downturn that has seen prices skyrocket at retail grocery stores.
And the timing was perfect: the Thanksgiving holiday.
Last week, several local food pantries sent volunteers to HCHS to collect the canned goods and other non-perishable items that were donated during the food drive. Several tables inside one of the school’s classrooms were lined from end to end with such items.
“Our students, our staff, and our community members took part in this and were very gracious in their efforts to help those in need,” stated HCHS Principal Ronica Watford.
Watford added that over a period of two weeks (Nov. 4-18), the “Bear Pride” Food Drive collected in excess of 2,600 food items.
Beginning Nov. 22, Watford said the items were donated to the Ahoskie Food Pantry, Jordan Grove Baptist Church, Calvary Missionary Baptist Church, Murfreesboro Baptist Church, Community Outreach Center, Hertford County Department of Social Services, and Food Bank of the Albemarle.
“Our goal was to collect 1,000 cans; however, as you can see, we were able to surpass that goal,” Watford said.
The “Bear Pride” Food Drive marquee is positioned over just a small portion of the 2,600-plus items that were collected by HCHS students and staff. Staff Photo by Cal Bryant
“Our students, as well as administrative staff, want to be a blessing to the organizations that will distribute these food items,” Watford continued. “We want to spread the wealth throughout our communities.
“Thank-you for taking the time to come and accept these donations. We are very appreciative. We want to build our community relations, so if we can be of further service to our community organizations, please let us know,” Watford concluded.
HCHS staff were present to assist food pantry volunteers in boxing the items and helping to move those boxes from the classroom to their vehicles parked out in front of the school’s main office.
Hertford County High School Principal Ronica Watford (second from right) is joined by members of her staff along with volunteers from the Community Outreach Center as they pose behind a table containing non-perishable food items collected at the school. Staff Photo by Cal Bryant
About Cal Bryant
Cal Bryant, a 40-year veteran of the newspaper industry, serves as the Editor at Roanoke-Chowan Publications, publishers of the Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald, Gates County Index, and Front Porch Living magazine.
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