Lower Merion School District Seniors Help In The Fight Against Food Insecurity

Press release from the Lower Merion School District:

December 8 2020

Food insecurity has long been a prevalent issue throughout the United States and the ongoing COVID-19 crisis has only exacerbated the problem. The pandemic has disproportionately affected the less fortunate in communities all across America to the point that the Center for Strategic and International Studies estimates the number of people facing food insecurity will nearly double by the end of 2020, which means this is a critical issue that needs immediate attention.

Earlier this fall, when three Lower Merion High School seniors - Thea Kerekes, Jane Spencer and Faye Berry - saw an opportunity to help in the fight against food insecurity, they jumped at the chance. Kerekes serves as the President of the Philadelphia Chapter of Helping the Hungry Virtually (HTHV), an organization founded by a group of students in California that matches those who need short-term assistance with people and organizations that are willing and able to contribute financially. HTHV then sends e-gift cards to families-in-need to help pay for groceries.

Since September, Kerekes, along with Spencer and Berry, who serve as the Manager of Communications and Manager of Data & Outreach, respectively, have already raised more than $4,500 and helped more than 60 families throughout the Greater Philadelphia area.

"It's definitely been a very interesting and rewarding experience," said Kerekes of her work with HTHV. "It is really eye-opening just to see how many families are in need of assistance during these times. It is difficult to see because food insecurity has always been an issue, but it's been exponentially worse since the start of the pandemic."

Kerekes recently sat down for an invterview with Fox 29 Philadelphia to talk about her work in the fight against food insecurity. To watch the interview and find out how you can help, click here. To visit the Helping the Hungry Virtually website, click here.

LMSD's Strategic Plan, "All Forward," provides a framework for a collective, intentional and positive approach to change. Its five aspirational pathways guide us toward continual innovation and transformation to further educational excellence for every student. This student-driven project is an example of Strategic Pathway #5: A Spirit of Community. To learn more about #LMSDAllForward and the Strategic Pathways, click here.

This press release was produced by the Lower Merion School District .The views expressed here are the author’s own.