The SPA Parent Association will return to host a school-wide day of service in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, which will fall on Monday, Jan. 15, 2024.

Last year, SPA partnered with Harvest Pack, a hunger relief nonprofit organization. Student volunteers packed foods, which were distributed to Harvest Pack’s nonprofit partners. Harvest Pack will be returning again this year.

Junior Humza Jameel participated in the day of service the previous year. He and his family worked with other volunteers at his station to carefully measure grains and vegetables into bags, which were weighed and tightly sealed. Each group assigned a member to a step of the packing in order to streamline the process. Once each group had filled a box with bags, they were collected.

Jameel enjoyed the collaborative aspect of the activity. “I think it’s actually very fun. Because you can spend time with friends, but you’re also actually doing work for the community.”

The community aspect of the event participation kept participants involved. Jameel recalled the enthusiasm and engagement last year. “If any kids got bored, they got [a chance to] hang out…but I think for the most part, everyone was focused on packing.”

A highlight of the event was exceeding the initial goal of the number of meals packed, a result of the high volunteer turnout. This year’s goal? Pack 30,000 meals. Harvest Pack will provide all the food to make the meals, and the school community will raise the funds to pay for the food with a total fund drive goal of $9,000.

Jameel is looking forward to participating again and encourages any other students available on the day to spend time volunteering at the vent or elsewhere.

The event will be from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Randolph campus, with options for one packing session and a lunch together. The Parent Association is looking for volunteers to sign up to pack meals, set up and clear up, and restock supplies to keep tables filled. Some volunteers will need to be able to lift 50-pound bags and others light-duty labeling. Middle schoolers, high schoolers, and adults are welcome to volunteer.

Please direct questions to Jackie O’Connell ([email protected]) or Parent Association President Cara Wilson ([email protected]).