What Drives the Food Drive?

The Food Drive season is the climax of Preston’s compassion campaign. Year after year, the goal increases, which continuously creates a challenge for the current Preston community. This year, Preston collected 10,240 pounds of non-perishable food, which triumphed over the approximate 8,800 pounds of food from the 2016-2017 school year. The 10,240 lbs, which was distributed among several pantries based in the Bronx, is a disproportionate accomplishment to the small school population of 482 students and 59 faculty members. If the success of the Food Drive cannot be ascribed to a large student body, what accounts for this year’s record-breaking accomplishment?

The answer is quite simple. It is our atmosphere of competition here at Preston that contributes to this compassionate victory. To begin each school year, all members of the Preston community congregate in the gym during the Food Drive Assembly, which kindles excitement, and announces the current year’s goal. Moderator of the Food Drive, Mrs. Dekajlo adapts a top-hit every year, giving it a “Food Drive” twist to engage everyone. Guidance Department Chairperson, Mrs. Tortorella “[awaits] the Food Drive Assembly all summer to hear Mrs. Dekajlo’s choice of song.” Preston’s 2017 Food Drive hit played a spin on Selena Gomez’s “It Ain’t Me.” Mrs. Dekajlo poses several questions: “Who’s gonna walk to school with bags of food each morning? Who’s gonna rock this drive cause that’s what panthers do? Who’s gonna smile & set the tone? Own this Food Drive as her own?” With these memorable lyrics, Preston had a motivating anthem during the Food Drive that inspired them to participate. Another factor to consider is the enthusiasm of the homeroom mentors. Mr. Martinez, Ms. Farrell, and Mrs. Dekajlo are notorious for “subtly” encouraging their girls to contribute. Dean of Students, Mr. Pipchinsky, a new member of Preston’s community, “[has] never seen so much enthusiasm for any type of charitable campaign and [believes] the enthusiasm was so contagious that [he] couldn’t help but contribute to help the cause!” Preston’s reputation was also a propelling force in our race to beat our record. Failure is not in Preston’s vocabulary. According to Mrs. Dekajlo, “Preston never fails to rise to challenge.” With the enthusiasm that permeates every corner of Preston and a title to defend, the Food Drive’s 2017 success was inevitable.

Whether one realizes it or not, acting compassionate has become instinctual for members of Preston’s community. Whereas most think twice about doing a good deed, it comes naturally for Preston students. With weekly Food-Fest Fridays and various efforts from Honor Societies and clubs, one is constantly surrounded by compassion, causing a domino effect. The compassion incorporated into Preston’s fabric sets the tone for every Food Drive in which we participate.

Many students see the Food Drive as an opportunity to be rewarded. Whichever homeroom contributes the most is praised and earns a prize, and the school as a whole receives a day off! Although Renee Giron (Class of ‘19) “[has] been inspired to help others who are less fortunate by Preston, [she feels] that people have lost the true meaning of the Food Drive.” She believes that the point system and promised cookies may tarnish the value of the Food Drive. Although there are personal interests involved, Preston students hold those in need closer to their heart than the perks of winning.

This year, 3,500 lbs went to the Divine Compassion Food Pantry in Dover Plains; 2,000 lbs went to Mercy Center in the Bronx; 2,000 lbs went to St. Raymond’s Pantry; 2,000 lbs went to Our Lady of the Assumption Pantry; 70 packages went to individual families. Preston is an institute that fosters determination and never settles for defeat, and we may credit the success of the Food Drive to this simple fact. Whatever the case may be, Preston’s compassion was felt by many during the 2017 Food Drive season.