Deptford High has been collecting food for students and families in need for several years through the school nurse’s office.
A Deptford High School senior is taking charge of a food pantry there and leading a donation drive through the end of the school year in June.
Delaney Vanhoof is conducting the food drive with help from her mother, Rebecca, and the school nurse’s office, where the pantry started.
“For the past several years, we have been collecting food donations for Deptford High School,” Delaney Vanhoof explained. “The DHS nurse’s office maintains a food pantry for … students and their families that are struggling to put food on their tables.
“With the help of our community,” she added, “we’ve been able to provide Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets, as well as help feed students and their families throughout the school year.”
After the turnout from the first half of the school year, Vanhoof wants to replenish several items that were donated during that period. The pantry is seeking additional cereal and microwaveable mac and cheese and Chef Boyardee cups.
People can donate one, two or all three items, as explained on an Amazon wish list that Vanhoof created. It also includes pancake and waffle mix and maple syrup. ShopRite and Walmart gift cards are also welcome.
The township school district has helped advertise the drive on its Facebook page, calling it an initiative “benefitting the community.”
“If anyone would be willing to donate any of these items, it would be greatly appreciated,” Vanhoof said. “No donation is too small. Even one item off the Amazon wish list makes a difference.”
Those interested in making a donation can reach out to Vanhoof on Facebook. From there, they can either deliver the items to Vanhoof’s home or she can pick them up. Contact is made through the Facebook page.
Vanhoof will personally deliver the items to the school, and students can bring their own donations to the nurses’ office.
“Thank you in advance for your help,” Vanhoof noted. “So many DHS students and their families have gotten a hand up when they needed it. I’d like to make sure everyone is fed for the rest of the school year.”
