WKHS Trick-or-Canning By: corrinne Malinowski

The Worthington Resource Pantry is a community staple, helping countless families. And for the past 14 years, Worthington Kilbourne has been involved in helping the Resource Pantry through a simple activity spread across a week. Throughout that week, every second-period class assists with collecting cans while Student Council handles, packages, counts, and ships those cans to the Resource Pantry.

Worthington Kilbourne's Trick-or-Canning began October 31st and will end November 9th. According to Student Council advisor Megan Humphrey, the procedure for student council participation begins with "Trick-or-Canning," where students will leave flyers on doorsteps before Halloween and then on Halloween night pick up the cans between three to nine pm. Following Trick-or-Canning Student Council also invites the participation of "2nd-period classes" and will follow up with said classes throughout the week.

Although Trick-or-Canning began before Humphrey took the position as Student Council advisor, she says that Trick-or-canning has been a "staple" since her take over eight years ago. Humphrey also stated that "this is [just one] opportunity to help those in need" implying that the Resource Pantry continuously seeks donations. Humphrey added that "it is great to have people participate whenever and however they can" emphasizing that any support of the Resource Pantry is good support.

Christa Passfiume, Director of Operations at the Worthington Resource Pantry, agreed with Humphrey, "I think it is wonderful to have the whole district come together this time of year to make these donations and build up our food supply." However, Passfiume highlighted a different aspect of the influence of donations to the food pantry "since the pandemic, the number of visitors coming to the food pantry increased drastically over time."

While WKHS and the Worthington Food pantry have very different statistics. Humphrey proudly stated that "Worthington Kilbourne donated 6193 canned goods last year," which is an essential contribution. And that while Trick-or-Canning is a huge drive for the community, there is not one drive that is more important than another. "Any and all drives that help others are important."