Berner Students See Impact Their Food Drive Had

MASSAPEQUA, NY — Following a weeklong food drive in late November, members of the student council at Berner Middle School got to see the impact they made with a trip to a local food pantry.

During the weeklong food drive, Berner students and staff could drop off items when they came to school each day, with collection bins near the entrances. Student council members promoted the food drive by making flyers, announcements and unloaded the bins each day so there was room for more donations.

On Dec. 6, student council officers loaded 15 boxes of nonperishable goods onto a school bus, then took a journey to the Our Lady of Lourdes parish outreach center in Massapequa Park. Once they arrived at the church, the student council was met by a staff member who explained how the food pantry works and the importance of the donations for families in need. Students brought the boxes of food inside, checked expiration dates and sorted the items. Additionally, they helped organize donations from other people.

“It was a great experience,” said Teresa Ferreira, the co-adviser of student council along with Denise Robertson. “Students left the facility really feeling like they made a difference because they did. They were active and busy the whole time. The pantry was certainly ready to distribute food after they left.”

Ferreira added that after returning to Berner, student council members collectively wrote a letter to the outreach center to express their gratitude for the opportunity and also offering future assistance.