In a spirited start to Food Drive season, Food Drive committee members led an assembly packed with exuberance, information, and competition, culminating in a prayer for this season that asked the question, "What will you bring to the table?"
In closing out the con, sophomore Olivia Lake shared these words:
“The games are done, and the promise of an early day out is calling to you, but bear with me for just another moment. I want you to look at those around you. One in five of us in this room has struggled with one of the most basic necessities in life. One in five of us in this room may go home at night wondering if they’ll be able to eat dinner that day. One in five of us in this room, do not have enough to eat right now.
As donations begin to emerge this food drive season, and Prep’s uniquely competitive spirit fills the air, I ask you to please remember just a few things: Although, for many of us, the food drive is a chance to get into that Bullpup spirit, to beat our neighbors, to win a prize, I encourage all of us to look a little deeper. While Food Drive is fun, its heart is in giving back to the Spokane community and deepening our connections with those around us. Food drive is our chance to change lives, make an impact, and work together for the greater good of Spokane. It is our chance to live up to the Profile of the Graduate: to be loving and committed to doing justice. This year during Food Drive, I encourage all of you to remember the reason for the season.
Additionally, please remember to choose quality over quantity this year when bringing food to your first-period classes. We want to give these families the heartiest and most nutritious meals we possibly can because a lot of them aren’t always given the opportunity of a nourishing dinner. I embolden you to bring a variety of different food choices so that all those in the Spokane community can be given a luxury all should have—a hot meal. Finally, as we enter this food drive season, please remember the importance of the event doesn’t lie in which class brings in the most food, but instead in the effect we are having on the families around us. With just one can of green beans, we have the ability to give an overworked mother a break. With just one box of mac ‘n’ cheese, we have the chance to change the way some children view the holidays. With just one donation, we have the opportunity to change lives.