Charity events help many underprivileged individuals during the holidays. With the delay in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits caused by the government shutdown, charity events and volunteer efforts providing aid for less fortunate individuals are more important now than ever.
“It makes it harder for people to find their food and find sources that can help them, because the sources are still out there, but it definitely makes the process a lot harder and takes more time,” AP United States Government teacher Debbie Whetstone said.
When students trade their free time for volunteer hours, it is a mutually beneficial process. The impact students have on their community supports those who need it, and the memories they make from these experiences are irreplaceable.
“Charity events are super fun, and it’s also a great way to help out your community and get those service hours,” freshman Ayana Palucha said.
Photo courtesy of Shayla Jones.
When students get involved in charity events, they not only earn the service hours they need for Bright Futures, but they also help their community and form connections that they might need in the future.
“[It’s important] to help out those who are less fortunate and cannot afford to get food every month, especially around the holidays, for example, Christmas and Thanksgiving,” Palucha said.
As students continue to lend their time and energy to charity events, their impact reaches far beyond fulfilling required service hours. Their involvement strengthens community support systems, especially during times when resources such as SNAP benefits are unavailable for many families. The dedication of students and volunteers uplifts many people’s spirits and shapes a more compassionate future.
