From left: Eighth graders Tucker Sopha, Noah Brisson, Jayden Turcotte, Anna Karcz, Abigail Yockel and Riley Ward. (Photo courtesy of the Raymond School District) 
Eighth graders Dillon Lassard (left) and Jackson Nersesian help to count the food collected for the NJHS food drive. (Photo courtesy of the Raymond School District) 
Students created posters about food insecurity and the impact it can have on children ahead of the food drive to share with their peers. (Photo courtesy of the Raymond School District)
RAYMOND — Superintendent Tina McCoy and Math Intervention Specialist and National Junior Honor Society Faculty Advisor Suzy Gagnon are pleased to announce students collected nearly 1,200 items during a food drive this month.
For three weeks, students at Iber Holmes Gove Middle School in Grades 4 through 8 brought in non-perishable food items as part of a schoolwide competition and fundraiser. Students were encouraged to bring non-perishable food items, such as canned goods, pasta, and granola bars.
Before the food drive, National Junior Honor Society eighth-graders researched and created posters about food insecurity and the impact it can have on children. Food insecurity is defined as a lack of consistent access to enough food for an active, healthy life. The information was shared with different classes at the school, posted in the hallways for others to see to highlight the importance of the food drive.
In total, 1,199 items were collected and will be donated to Raymond Community Action Food Pantry, and End 68 Hours of Hunger.
“Our students did an incredible job with this food drive as well as educating their peers on the need for these donations,” Gagnon said. “We are so grateful for all the support we received and proud to be able to give back to our community during these challenging times.”
The winning grade who brought in the most donations is grade 6, who brought in 298 items. Those students will be gifted a reward of their choosing in the coming weeks.
“Events like this are a great way to have our students learn about the importance of giving back to your community,” Superintendent McCoy said. “Great job by all who helped to organize this food drive and thank you to everyone who donated.”
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