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Severn News
Spirit Week Food Drive Yields 3 Tons of Food for SPAN
Reprinted with permission from the Severna Park Voice
For at least the last 15 years, Severn School’s annual spirit week has included a food drive to benefit Severna Park Assistance Network (SPAN). During spirit week, from October 10–14, the Severn Service Society, led by seniors Caroline Mason '17 and Rachel Sindler '17, launched an impressive food drive that totaled more than 10,200 items weighing in at a whopping 6,000 pounds.
For at least the last 15 years, Severn School’s annual spirit week has included a food drive to benefit Severna Park Assistance Network (SPAN). During spirit week, from October 10–14, the Severn Service Society, led by seniors Caroline Mason '17 and Rachel Sindler '17, launched an impressive food drive that totaled more than 10,200 items weighing in at a whopping 6,000 pounds.
“We wanted to make the food drive a focal point of spirit week this year,” said Sindler. “We encouraged every student in the Upper School not only to bring in items to help their grade win spirit week but also to bring in items to benefit and help those in our greater community.”
Not only did the students want to out-donate the other grades, they also wanted to improve on last year’s total donation. Participation was remarkable, with an estimated 75 percent of the total Upper School population earning spirit points for their grade.
Not only did the students want to out-donate the other grades, they also wanted to improve on last year’s total donation. Participation was remarkable, with an estimated 75 percent of the total Upper School population earning spirit points for their grade.
“This year, an 8-by-16-foot pod was donated and placed in front of the school,” said Mason. “It served as a daily reminder throughout spirit week to bring in food. It was fun to see the pod fill up.”
Sindler said that each student carried the weight of the fundraiser. “Caroline and I stressed the importance of bringing in items each day and not necessarily relying on a classmate to bring in your share of food items,” said Sindler.
Mason and Sindler said the dedicated SPAN pod was especially effective in motivating the student body to bring in canned items. They declared the great Food Drive of 2016 was “by far the best one in Severn’s history!”
“The girls had large roles last year but really stepped up to be the leaders this year,” said Julian Domenech, Severn School athletic director and food drive faculty co-adviser. “I’ve been very impressed with their leadership and their ability to get the others in the group to get involved.”
Erin McCarthy, assistant athletic director and food drive faculty co-adviser, echoed those sentiments. “I am very proud of the leadership and initiative that both Rachel and Caroline set forth with this food drive,” McCarthy added. “Through their leadership, the Severn Service Society not only strived to improve and set higher goals for the student body, but they also continued to keep the tradition and essence of community service alive during spirit week.”
That effort did not go unappreciated by SPAN. “SPAN is so grateful for the continued support of the Severn School community,” said Maria DeNardo, SPAN executive director. “The food drive [allows us to] re-stock our shelves after being depleted during the summer months. Together with Severn School, SPAN is making a difference every day that will last for many tomorrows.”
SPAN only accepts food donations onsite. Donations may be dropped off at the office Monday through Thursday from 10:00am to 2:00pm. After-hours donations can be dropped off anytime in the storage cabinet behind the SPAN building. Monetary donations may be made online at www.spanhelps.org.
