When St. Anne's School student Philip Gray Jr., 11, asked his father how he could help starving children in Africa, his father told him there were people right here at home who could use some help. He spoke to Philip Jr. about the Hands For Hunger organization and its work of delivering food to people in need. He encouraged his son to think of ways he could help.
The younger Philip decided to do just that.
"That's when I found out that we had people who went without food for a long time in our country. I then asked our senior mistress [Nicolette Archer] if we could donate canned goods and money to Hands for Hunger," said Gray, a sixth grade student and deputy head boy.
He enlisted the help of other student leaders to organize a food drive. Together with head boy Nathan Pickering, head girl Isis Gomez and deputy head girl Savanah Knowles, they motivated the entire student body to take part in the food drive.
The effort netted more than 100 pounds of canned goods and $1,000 for Hands for Hunger, a local non-profit organization dedicated to eradicating unnecessary hunger and reducing food waste in The Bahamas.
Since 2008, Hands for Hunger has rescued and delivered more than 1 million pounds of food to people in New Providence facing hunger and food insecurity through its food rescue programs. Hands for Hunger currently supports 17 agencies that have feeding programs, including the Bahamas Red Cross, Great Commission Ministries, the Salvation Army and the Bahamas AIDS Foundation.
"We've distributed all of our stored non-perishable goods after Hurricane Matthew and are still actively working to replenish our pantry," said Monique Brennen, Hands for Hunger's volunteer and community events coordinator.
"Philip's offer to host a food drive has helped us get 2017 off to a great start, and we look forward to seeing this partnership with St Anne's grow."
Hands for Hunger was also invited to hold a number of its signature "Hunger Huddles" for St. Anne's students sitting the Bahamas General Certificate of Secondary Examination (BGCSE) religious knowledge exam this year. During the "Huddles", Hands for Hunger team members share information about the organization's day-to-day operations and discuss specific ways groups can help the non-profit.
The experience has had a lasting impact on Philip, who has vowed to continue giving back to the community.
"I plan to be a permanent volunteer with Hands for Hunger and to help when I can."

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