North Allegheny's Student Council collects 2,000 items, $3,000 during food drive

When it comes to helping out their neighbors, North Allegheny students deliver.

About 2,000 food and toiletry items and $3,000 were collected for a food drive from Nov. 17-21 at the senior high school, coordinated by the Student Council.

The collections were divided among the North Hills Community Outreach, Millvale Free Fridge and Pantry, and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania.

“As a community, NASH has always been willing to help the community and again stepped up in a major way,” said teacher Justin Karolski, who serves as an adviser to Student Council.

Homerooms that completed a meal kit were entered into a drawing to win a special treat, Karolski said.

“This year, we augmented it by collecting Thanksgiving goods for the Millvale food bank. We had widespread participation from most of the building and some from the community at large. The winning homeroom got a doughnut breakfast,” Karolski said.

The Millvale food pantry, which is separate from NHCO’s location and located behind the Millvale library, ended up receiving 24 meal kits, according to Cole Currykosky, a junior who helped coordinate the event and meal kits.

NHCO, a nonprofit that supports people experiencing crisis, hardship and poverty in the North Hills, is always appreciative of the donations. It has food pantries at Avalon, Hampton and Millvale.

“The outpouring of support from our community has been incredible and truly heartfelt. We always need donations because there is always a need. That’s why we’re here,” said Jeff Geissler, spokesperson for NHCO.