![FOOD: Francis Greenway High School principal Jo Edwards, students Nicola Cole, Elizabeth Davey, Shelby Rowden and Regan Young with Reverend Doug Morrison-Cleary (second from right). FOOD: Francis Greenway High School principal Jo Edwards, students Nicola Cole, Elizabeth Davey, Shelby Rowden and Regan Young with Reverend Doug Morrison-Cleary (second from right).](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/H4rQr3kwJCDkT9nukzGYK/74aac89c-b1b8-4d01-816d-97b49378c8e5.JPG/r327_262_6526_4106_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Francis Greenway High School has spearheaded an initiative to help the disadvantaged in the community just in time for Christmas.
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The school has organised a food drive for the Anglican Parish of Beresfield Thornton’s food pantry project.
The pantry provides meal packs to families who require emergency assistance until their next pay day.
Woodberry, Thornton and Tarro Public Schools have all gotten on board with the drive.
The idea was initiated by school principal Jo Edwards.
She said she saw the initiative being done elsewhere, and thought it would be a great project for the school and the community.
But with other food drives, Ms Edwards said often the people who give don’t get to see where their food has gone.
So she thought the parish would be a worthy beneficiary, as they help local families, some of which would have children at schools in the area.
The concept is for people to bring in non-perishable items such as spreads, crackers, soup, canned foods, jams, cereal and long-life milk.
The school is hoping to fill their mini-bus with items to donate to the parish.
Reverend Doug Morrison-Cleary of the parish said the funds for the pantry comes from the parishioners, so the donation will be a big help.
Currently the parish provides 35-40 parcels a month, which is up from 20 at this time last year.
Rev Morrison-Cleary said he hoped the donations will get them through a few months, particularly January which is always a big month after the Christmas period.
The Reverend said he was very appreciative of the support, especially after Beresfield Public School also held a drive earlier this year.
“This is just awesome,” he said.
“We were absolutely astounded by the response at Beresfield Public School, so for the high school to take this up and coordinate with other schools is just incredible and will make a big difference.”
Ms Edwards said along with a great benefit to local residents, the initiative also helps foster community spirit and the idea of helping others in the school.
“Our students think about others and recognise they need to give back to the community,” she said.
The drive only just started, but the response has been strong already.
Francis Greenway will travel to the primary schools on Friday, December 2 to collect all of the items.
The food will then be donated to the parish at their community Christmas fair on December 3.
People are welcome to drop off any items at Francis Greenway High School before December 2.