STUDENTS have been inspired by a Melbourne city excursion to organise their own Christmas food drive as well as volunteer to help those experiencing hardship in the New Year.
Tooleybuc Central School’s Year 9 and 10s went on the Salvation Army homelessness tour at Magpie’s Nest as part of their excursion.
They learnt about the circumstances that can lead to someone experiencing homelessness and the services that can help get them back on their feet.
Magpie’s Nest, at 69 Bourke Street, has a free cafeteria, services, post boxes and more for people experiencing hardship.
Students Alyssa Rogers and Isabel Nicholls help co-ordinate the food drop in the school’s front office along with their peers and the SRC, collecting foods with long shelf lives.
“We wanted to help families that aren’t able to get food be able to,” Isabell said.
Alyssa added: “It’s helping raising awareness in our school that not everyone has equal opportunities to feed their families”.
For Principal Mel Waite the initiative is a great outcome of the excursion.
“I think it’s lovely that they have the empathy and understanding that there are those less fortunate than themselves,” she said.
“It’s fantastic that they feel empowered to make a difference in their community.
“So many families and staff have been very generous and jumped on board without much promotion on our part.”
The school will take donations until Friday and will deliver them to Swan Hill District Health during the students’ end of year Swan Hill visit.
