Seattle Prep requires students of every grade to fulfill a certain amount of service each year, and the director of service, Ms. Miller, promotes the ideal that, “Everybody has the right to go good food that’s healthy and safe”. It’s the responsibility of Prep students to be aware of fundamental issues surrounding food waste and create change through service.
During the Thanksgiving and Christmas season food banks see an influx in demand, but they also receive an abundance of supply through various means.
“Some people have the time but not the treasure, and some people have the treasure but not the time, and some people have both, but thanksgiving is as good as time as any to practice thinking about our own gifts and the obligation that it puts on us to be aware of those people who have less than us” Miller said.
Food banks rely on various forms of support that can go further than service. Donating to food banks allows them to purchase goods at a wholesale cost and fulfill their efforts in gleaning local supermarkets by gathering food that has gone past its sale by date, but has not expired yet. Serving your community doesn’t have to come from an organization but can start by not throwing out safe and healthy foods just because they are not up to a supermarket’s standards.
This process was described by Miller, “Food banks want to give their clients the dignity of nourishment so they’re not going to give a client somethings that expired and they will waste it, so yes food is wasted but it would be undignified for these food banks to hand out expired food.”
There are specific organizations like Operation Sack Lunch, Food Lifeline, and Northwest Harvest for Prep students to get involved in. Students can help to collect donations and spread them through smaller organizations and local food banks.
Even though volunteering during the holidays is always beneficial, Miller calls Prep students to look for more meaningful opportunities to continue to serve during the year; “It’s important for us to know why we’re volunteering during the holidays and it’s just as important for us to volunteer during January. After the holiday season, the need doesn’t go away in February and beyond.” and many organizations find their service sign ups desolate. She calls her students to use the holiday spirit of giving to last more than just a holiday.
