Students from a handful of programs at St. Clair College learned a valuable lesson outside the classroom this week: that just one canned good goes a long way.
And that lesson was reinforced when members of the College's Protection, Security and Investigations/Police Foundations Society, as well as the Community and Justice Services Club teamed up to host Hallowe'en for Hunger, an annual food drive to help New Beginnings of Windsor fill out its pantry.
"It's good to be involved in the community and create kindness and put yourself out there," said Chelsea Crosby, a second-year Police Foundations student who serves as the social director of the PSI/Police Foundations Society and the vice-president of the Community and Justice Services Club. "You get to know different people and their backgrounds, which is important because everyone is different, unique and deserving in their own way."
Over the course of a week, students in the two clubs set up booths at both the Main Windsor Campus and Downtown Campus of St. Clair College, collecting goods like canned food, juice-boxes, cereal, and other non-perishable food stuffs.
"This was a completely student-run initiative, and I want to congratulate them on this effort. Every little bit helps, and through this food drive, the clients at New Beginnings will have some extra resources at a crucial time of year," said Richard Beauchamp, a professor in the Police Foundations program.
"Students in the Community and Justice Services Club and PSI/Police Foundations Society are learning that protecting the community is about more than enforcing the law," said Beauchamp. "It's about taking care of people, especially society's most vulnerable."
Through mostly student donations, the clubs were able to gather an entire vanload of goods to donate to New Beginnings of Windsor.
Stacey Yannacopoulos, the Executive Director at New Beginnings, said the food drive means a lot to the organization and the community it supports.
"It reflects their dedication to making a difference in their community but also a genuine compassion for those facing food insecurity," said Yannacopoulos. "When young people step up like this, it strengthens our belief in the future of our community and the role youth play in driving positive change."
New Beginnings operates a no-barrier, emergency food bank, accessible to any youth in the community facing food insecurity. The organization struggles to keep up with the increasing demand, and these food donations collected will go directly to children, youth, and families it serves through its various programs.
"These items help to alleviate some of the daily pressures they face, allowing them to focus on other essentials, whether it's mental health, housing, getting to work and school, or focusing on personal development," Yannacopoulos said. "This support goes a long way in helping them feel secure and cared for."
She said this isn't the first time St. Clair College students and faculty have rallied together to support New Beginnings and is confident it won't be the last.
"This initiative is a beautiful example of how community partnerships can spark hope and resilience. Watching students come together and take action for others is truly inspiring," said Yannacopoulos.
"Their consistent dedication to community betterment is admirable and always reminds us of the power that even one small act of kindness can have."
Students in the PSI/Police Foundations Society and Community and Justice Services Club hold pack non-perishables into a van, destined for New Beginnings on Nov. 4, 2024. (Rich Garton/St. Clair College)
