Food Drive & Volunteer Day

In Collaboration with the Reading Food Pantry

What’s happening

We’re excited to announce that our club will be partnering with the Reading Food Pantry in early 2026 for a multi-step community service event:

• Food Drive Kick-Off – We’ll organize and collect much-needed donation items from our school and surrounding community.

• Facility Tour – Club members will get a behind-the-scenes tour of the pantry (located at 6 Salem Street, Reading, MA) to learn how the pantry serves local families and individuals. 

• Volunteer Shift: Sort, Shelf & Package – After the tour, we’ll roll up our sleeves and help by sorting incoming donations, shelving items, and packaging food for distribution.
  
  

Why we’re doing this

The Reading Food Pantry believes “no one in our community should go hungry.” Working with them gives us a meaningful way to live out our club’s mission of “build, serve, empower.” Through this partnership we:

• Provide direct support to our neighbors in need

• Gain awareness of local food-security issues

• Build hands-on teamwork and civic leadership within our club
  
  

How you can help

• Donate items: The pantry notes that some of their especially in-demand items include coffee, tea, flour, sugar, baking soda, cooking oil, lunch-packs of fruit, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, laundry detergent and tissues. 

• Volunteer on the day: We’ll need club members to commit to the tour + volunteer shift. More details on date & time will follow once confirmed.

• Spread the word: Help us organize the food drive by talking to your friends, posting flyers, and promoting donation drop-off sites.
  
  

Timeline & Next Steps

1. Late 2025 – Campaign launch: Announce the food-drive, distribute flyers, set up donation bins at school/community sites.
   
   

2. Early 2026 (Date TBA) – Visit day at Reading Food Pantry: Tour + volunteer shift.
   
   

3. Post-event wrap-up – Celebrate our club’s contribution, reflect on the experience, gather photos and share highlights for our website/club social feed.
   
   

Participant Information

• Location: Reading Food Pantry, 6 Salem Street, Reading, MA 01867 READING FOOD PANTRY
  
  

• Volunteers: Open to all club members. RSVP required (so we know how many will attend).
  
  

• What to bring: Closed-toe shoes, comfortable clothing you don’t mind using while sorting/shelving; optional: a donation bag if you’re bringing items directly.
  
  

• Permissions: If applicable, ensure any necessary consent forms are submitted (for under-18s).
  
  

• Questions?: Contact [club leader email/phone] or reach out to the pantry directly at 781-944-8486. READING FOOD PANTRY
  
  

Why you should join

Beyond simply collecting food, this day is about service + learning. You’ll gain a personal understanding of how local food systems work, how nonprofits operate, and how even small acts of service can make a big impact in someone’s life. If you enjoy working with a team, giving back, and discovering how you can help build stronger communities—that’s right where you belong.