WRENTHAM — Superintendent Paul Zinni is pleased to share that two King Phillip Regional School District students held a successful food drive to support individuals in need due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Neel McGrath, an eighth grade student at King Philip Regional Middle School, and Samantha Asprelli, a sophomore at King Philip Regional High School, organized a food drive through their volunteer work with Project 351.
Both students began the project by texting their friends and posting on Facebook about collection times and locations. They accepted monetary donations as well.
The students raised $450 and collected 400 food donations for the Wrentham Food Pantry and local families in need.
McGrath currently serves as the Wrentham Ambassador for Project 351, a nonprofit organization in which eighth-graders in each community in the state are selected by their teachers for a 12-month program of service learning, leadership development and civic engagement. Asprelli is a former Project 351 Ambassador, and currently serves as McGrath’s mentor.
McGrath and Asprelli were inspired by Project 351’s “Service Leadership Academy,” which each week focused on a particular issue, such as the environment, poverty, or homelessness. During the week of hunger, Project 351 suggested executing a food drive in their own communities.
After hearing about their success, Project 351 invited both students to share their project with the whole Project 351 community in a weekly virtual meeting with over 150 participants.
“I’m sure it was nerve-wracking for them to present to such a large audience, but it was such an amazing opportunity for them,” said Student Ambassadors Co-Advisor Lisa McIntyre. “Their thoughtful actions have helped local families during such a hard time for many.”
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