The event will offer an estimated 300 to 400 pounds of donated food, available to anyone who attends
A group of North Penn High School students is working to make sure neighbors in need can access fresh food without barriers.
Sharing Excess North Penn, a student-led chapter of the Philadelphia-based nonprofit Sharing Excess, will host a free food distribution on Saturday, Feb. 7, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the cafeteria courtyard at North Penn High School.
The event will offer an estimated 300 to 400 pounds of donated food, available to anyone who attends. Organizers say the goal is simple: make sure food gets to people who need it, no questions asked.
Students stepping up to meet a need
Senior Ben Park, co-president of the club, said he took on the leadership role to help reduce the stigma some people feel when seeking food assistance.
“In this day and age, I find that hungry people in need feel almost patronized for accessing the resources they need to get by,” Park said. He added that recent reductions in federal SNAP benefits have made it even more important to ensure reliable access to food at the local level.
The club was founded two years ago by former student Derek Schneider and continues to be run by a small team of student officers, along with about 8 to 10 regular members who help organize and staff events.
Other officers include Nadia Eid (senior, co-president), Emelia Schneider (junior, vice president), Paula Fernandez (junior, recording secretary), Kenza Lahjouji (senior, corresponding secretary), Joshua Seo (junior, treasurer), and Brianna Ipina-Cordon (senior, publicity and outreach coordinator).
What to expect at the distribution
Most of the food available will be fresh produce, including fruits and vegetables, along with bread items and bottled drinks. The food is supplied through Sharing Excess’ headquarters in Philadelphia, where surplus food is rescued and redirected to communities.
Organizers hope to serve about 100 to 150 people during the event, though that number depends on turnout. The distribution is open to anyone who can attend, not just North Penn families.
There is no registration required. Attendees can stop by anytime between 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. and are encouraged to bring their own bags to carry items home. Student volunteers will be on hand to help with setup and distribution.
