Nantucket Intermediate School Students Launch Food Drive For Those In Need

Nantucket Intermediate School students are once again launching a food drive to aid the Nantucket Food Pantry ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday.

After gathering 721 pounds of goods for the Food Pantry last spring, students have raised their goal and are aiming even higher: 1,000 pounds worth of food items and dry goods by Thanksgiving.

Noting that demand at the Nantucket Food Pantry is at or near an all-time high, Nantucket Intermediate School fourth grade teacher George MacLellan is spearheading the initiative. Students in grades 3, 4, and 5 are now volunteering their time to gather food and dry goods for the Food Pantry.

"Our November food drive will help families, friends and neighbors in our community," MacLellan wrote in a message to the school at the start of the month. "This a voluntary activity with a goal of involving students and families in helping a great local cause. We know that helping others is helping ourselves. Every single donation helps. Together our combined donations will make a real difference for those in need."

Donations are being collected each morning in students' grade level cluster through Monday, November 20th.

The Food Pantry has requested the following donations, which can be dropped off at the NIS lobby to add to its food drive before Wednesday, Nov. 22, or delivered directly to the Food Pantry at 10 Washington Street (Thursday - Thursday, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.).

Holiday Donation List

• Vegetable oil 1 quart size
• White sugar, smaller size is fine 2 pounds
• Brown sugar 1 pound bag
• Salt regular table salt
• All purpose flour or masa
• Baking soda
• Baking powder
• Small cinnamon
• Condensed or evaporated milk

General Donation List: These Items are rarely available from the Greater Boston Food Bank.

• Cooking Oil 24-36- ounce bottles
• Coffee ground or instant
• Shelf stable juices
• Breakfast cereal (smaller boxes are better)
• Canned poultry/meats/tuna
• Condiments - ketchup /mayo/ mustard
• Granola bars/protein bars
• Pasta sauce
• Peanut butter
• Jelly/jam