Niles New Tech kicked off its annual monetary donation and food drive last week. In an effort to recognize National Hunger Awareness Month, students will be collecting donations for the Niles Salvation Army.

Tim Douglas, the Niles Salvation Army volunteer coordinator along with Lt. Kendra Hixenbaugh gave a presentation last Friday at Niles New Tech to help make students aware of the need in their Niles community.

“We are getting ready to go into our busy season,” Douglas said. “Everybody thinks about giving food during the holidays, but it is the times in between that are also really important.”

Families that come to the Salvation Army for food aid can receive a week’s worth of groceries. The amount of groceries they receive is based on the number of people in their family.

With an average of about 100 families served each month, Douglas said despite recent food drives, including the Postal Food Drive and the United Way Christmas in July, the pantry is now about 75 percent empty, with few staple items remaining. 

Students in the sophomore, junior and senior classes will partner with the community in an effort to raise money and food for the organization.

Maria Culbertson, a world studies and civic literature teacher who is helping to organize the drive said students will be contacting businesses to possibly set up food bins or collection jars for money. The plan for this partnership is expected to be approved by the school board by the end of this week.

In the meantime, Culbertson encouraged anyone wishing to give food to bring the items to the Salvation Army, 424 N. 15th St. or to Niles New Tech, 1441 Eagle St.

Douglas said the pantry was most in need of basic food items including the following:

• Juices

• Soups, condensed and chunky

• Peanut butter

• Spaghetti

• Spaghetti sauce

• Powdered milk

• Toiletries

“Thank you so much for the work you are willing to do,” Douglas said.

Donations will be collected through Sept. 29. Though, Culbertson said if the community wishes to continue to give after then, they are welcome to do so.