Join the Movement: How Our Student-Led Volunteer Group is Making a Difference with an Inspiring Food Drive!

Over the weekend, students from Duluth East organized a food drive to support CHUM, a local nonprofit. This student-led group, known as the Community Outreach and Restoration Association (CORA), went door-to-door in the lakeside and Congdon areas asking for donations of money and canned goods.

CORA was founded by a middle school student who, during the pandemic, wanted to help struggling nonprofits. For the past three years, they have supported organizations like Second Harvest and Animal Allies. Each year, they host food drives at events like Bentleyville and the Air Show.

Group leader Gaven Greshowak mentioned their achievements, saying, “We’ve raised over $7,000 for nonprofits. The Air Show alone brings in about $1,500. Recently, we collected over 1,000 pounds of food for CHUM and Second Harvest.”

The students involved range from middle school to high school and aim to expand their reach to other schools in the Northland. They are determined to grow CORA into a national network of student-based volunteer organizations.

During their Spring Food Drive, which ran Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4 PM, CORA collected 360 pounds of food and raised $559.35 for CHUM.

Looking ahead, CORA is preparing for their next event during the summer Air Show. They also plan to adopt a section of highway near Duluth for clean-up efforts. Branch Director Oscar Thompson shared their enthusiasm, stating, “We’ll get out there twice a year to keep our community clean.”

The spirit of young volunteers shows how impactful local initiatives can be, especially in times of need. Supporting food drives like these can significantly help those facing food insecurity in our communities. According to a recent Feeding America study, 1 in 8 people in the U.S. struggle with hunger. This highlights the importance of such organized efforts, making community involvement crucial for everyone.

By engaging in these activities, students learn the value of giving back while directly impacting those around them. As conversations around community service grow, we can expect to see more young people stepping up to take action.



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