OPHS has worked to make a difference in their community through their participation in this year’s Huddle for Hunger food drive, collecting over 1,000 cans, boxes, and other nonperishable food items. This was a major contribution to helping those in need across the community.
These donations go to FeedMoreWNY, an organization that combines food from schools, businesses, and local supporters to help families facing food insecurity. Thanks to Orchard Park’s efforts, many more families in Western New York will have food on the table.
This marks the third year that Orchard Park has taken part in the Huddle for Hunger food drive, but the school’s tradition of supporting food drives goes all the way back to the 1970s with STAP Comm.
Huddle for Hunger has become Orchard Park’s largest and most impactful food drive. The school has won 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in competition with other schools in the past 3 years, donating thousands of food items to those in need.
To many students, one of the most rewarding and cool parts of the event is working with the Buffalo Bills and FeedMoreWNY, seeing the real impact their donations make. While many say it feels great to win the competition, students say the true reward is knowing their efforts are helping families who would otherwise go without.
“Of course, it feels good to have run a successful competitive fundraiser that won, but it’s even more fulfilling to see that our effort to raise as much as possible will be the reason that one more family has food on the table,” said STAP Comm President Luke Lippit.
We also talked with student Hudson Lashway, who conveyed a similar message.
“Being able to easily and conveniently donate to our food drives at OPHS has been something I have taken great pride in, especially knowing and seeing the impact it has made on our community.”
As a result of their success, Orchard Park students have received exciting opportunities, like being invited to Buffalo Bills games, walking on the field to be recognized for their work, attending a Bills watch party at the stadium, and even hosting a visit from the team after winning first place this past September.
“Going to see the assembly with Bills players was really cool and an awesome reward for the work we did as a school for our community,” said Junior Connor Valiquette.
The Huddle for Hunger food drive at Orchard Park is more than just a contest, it is a program that shows generosity, community spirit, and making a difference in the lives of others.
