Holy Heart of Mary High School turns 60 on Saturday, but the celebrations have already begun. Today the school is hosting a food and coin drive in hopes of filling 60 food hampers for families in need.
Teacher Amy Slaney-Howell and member of the student council executive Jack Brown were busy Thursday decorating the school lobby for the celebration.
Slaney-Howell said the sisters who began Holy Heart 60 years ago had a commitment to social justice in the community, and the school strives to continue in their footsteps.
“For us here at school, when you see the need around, we figured that would be the biggest contribution that we could make, and in honour of what the sisters started 60 years ago,” she said.
People can donate any non-perishable food items, hygiene products or coins.
“Our catchphrase is ‘change for change,’ so the idea is that with the coins we can then buy gift certificates for grocery stores.”
Brown noted it was a natural decision to host a food drive to help celebrate the school’s birthday.
“Holy Heart is a school that always gives back to the community,” he said. “Hopefully we’ll be successful, with a lot of people swinging by and dropping off donations.”