Whitman-Hanson High hosts Miles for Meals and earns money for local food pantries
Whitman-Hanson Regional High School’s National Honor Society students hosted the sixth annual Miles for Meals Fun Run and Walk at the WHRHS outdoor track on Saturday, Oct. 24, raising $3,600 so far — with an affiliated raffle running through Friday, Oct. 30.
The fundraiser benefits the local food pantries in Whitman and Hanson.
GIVING: W-H girls’ soccer players Madison Shea, left, and Kat O’Kane bring in food pantry donations to National Honor Society Adviser Ellen Galambos. Photo by Tracy Seelye
This year, Student Council members also joined in sponsoring Miles for Meals. Students and local residents alike brought great energy while walking and even participating in some games.
“The volunteers at the food pantries were so grateful to the kids for their commitment to their community,” says Ellen Galambos, Whitman-Hanson’s NHS advisor. “The parents and relatives of our students donated so much money, and I know the food pantries are very grateful to these special families. I’m also very touched by the generosity of some of the businesses in our two communities.”
Galambos had hoped to raise a minimum of $2,000 because “the students would love to give at least $1,000 to each pantry.”
They had exceeded their initial goal by the start of the event, with additional donations made that morning, she said.
For next year, Galambos and NHS members are looking to potentially hold a 5K for Miles for Meals benefit run.
All proceeds from the walk go directly to the Whitman and Hanson food pantries, so the fundraiser helps local friends and neighbors who are struggling to put food on the table.
“The money Miles for Meals makes is useful because the pantry can then purchase food from the [Greater Boston] Food Bank,” Sharon Kennedy, the director of the Hanson food pantry said last month. By not buying food from a grocery store, the food pantries are able to get more for their dollar.
Kennedy and volunteers from the Whitman Food Pantry also took part in the walk.
“Miles for Meals is one of the biggest fundraisers for the pantry. With the money we are able to buy $7 of food for $1 at the Greater Boston Food Bank,” said Bob Hogan of the St. Vincent DePaul Society and Whitman Food Pantry, which serves nearly 4,000 people.
See more photos from the event at the Whitman-Hanson Express Facebook page.