March 29, 2024

NHS students raise, donate food items to Salvation Army

Assembly line

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When the Salvation Army’s food pantry ran low weeks ago, many Newton businesses and community members stepped up to get the shelves stocked with food before Thanksgiving. One of those groups was a group of students from Newton High School.

NHS students held a food drive, rallying students and six Newton businesses to donate food items for the Salvation Army. Abby Lamont, career center coordinator for NHS, said students collected more than 10,000 items from Nov. 6 through Nov. 16.

“We’re just thankful that we’re able to do this,” Lamont said. “As you can see, they loaded it all up, boxed it up and were able to bring it here to hopefully provide holiday meals for our community.”

More than 15 students loaded a truck that shipped the goods to the Salvation Army Monday morning. They formed an assembly line, handing boxes of food items, one by one, to each other until they were placed in the food pantry.

Delaney Nasalroad, an NHS student council member, was part of that chain. She said she was grateful to be a part of it despite the weight of the boxes full of food items.

“The boxes are really heavy, but it’s worth it,” Nasalroad said. “I love it. I think it’s great because I know we’re going to feed people through the winter. It feels good.”

At the start of the line, assisting with loading the boxes out of the truck, was 18-year-old senior Collin Hemann.

“It was very impressive that the students at the high school are willing to donate this much,” Hemann said. “It helps the community a lot, so it’s a good feeling to help them out.”

Contact Orrin Shawl at 641-792-3121 Ext 6533 or at oshawl@newtondailynews.com