A Syracuse area high school is looking for donations to help families through the holiday season.
Corcoran High School, 919 Glenwood Ave., will collect non-perishable foods until Nov. 21 to help families impacted by the pause of food stamps benefits.
“Our goal is to ensure that students can focus on their education and success and not where their next meal will come from,” wrote vice principal Amorie Green in an email to syracuse.com | The Post-Standard.
A Corcoran High School employee had the idea to hold a food drive because many students rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Green said in an interview. Due to the ongoing government shutdown, SNAP funds were frozen.
A judge ruled that the United States Department of Agriculture must partially fund SNAP benefits but it is unclear how this will work.
Green said some students told staff they are worried they will not have food for Thanksgiving or asked if there is food they can take home.
Corcoran High School employees are hoping to collect items like microwave rice, pop-tab cans, instant mashed potatoes, seasonings and boxed pasta. They prefer food that does not require additional ingredients such as eggs or milk to prepare. They will also take gift cards.
Corcoran may accept perishable foods, like turkeys and other Thanksgiving staples, in late November, Green said. If interested in donating refrigerated goods, contact Green for guidance.
Food can be dropped off at the front office. Contact Green at agreen79@scsd.us with questions or to request a specific time to drop off food.
Parents will be able to sign up to receive donations. Food will be handed out before Thanksgiving break.
“We work with very vulnerable groups of students,” Green said in an interview. “We wanted to do something before kids get sent off to Thanksgiving break.”
If you need food, syracuse.com put together a list of food pantries in the area.
