Tables sit ready in the hallways, waiting for donations that will soon transform them into towers of canned goods, boxes of pasta, and other nonperishables. Flyers line the walls, volunteers organize sign-up sheets, and the school buzzes with anticipation for the first-ever Feed Forward food drive.
The effort from these students promises more than just groceries — it’s a chance for students and staff to come together, support each other, and make a real impact on families facing food insecurity in Nebraska.
“I have always been concerned with the plight of people who are less fortunate than I am, and am always willing to do what I can to encourage others to do what they can to help,” Betzold said.
Feed Forward, a student-led initiative started as part of senior Harmony Banwo’s CAS project, will begin by stocking the school’s food pantry before sending extra donations to the Food Bank for the Heartland. The drive aims to help MNHS students who struggle with access to meals while also reaching families in the wider community. According to community counselor Samantha Naser, 145 students and seven homeless families at MNHS reported food insecurity this year.
“They [Food Bank for the Heartland] serve most people in our community and are reputable and established,” Betzold said.
The volunteer team spans grades and interests, taking on roles from sorting and inventory to organizing pickup and delivery routes. Senior vice president Tyler Epstein is coordinating logistics, making sure every donation is tracked and reaches its destination efficiently.
“We wanted this drive to show students that support is already here for them, not something they have to go searching for,” Epstein said.
Students hope the project teaches more than just the importance of donating. They want peers to feel seen, supported, and part of a community that actively helps each other. Even small contributions — a single box of cereal or a can of soup — make a difference, organizers said.
“There is strength in community,” Banwo said. “When we come together, even in small ways, we can make a real difference in people’s lives. Every donation, every hour spent volunteering, adds up, and seeing everyone work toward the same goal reminds me that no one has to face struggles alone.”
For many students, the drive is a first-hand lesson in the realities of food insecurity. Organizers said it encourages peers to think beyond themselves and see the impact of collective effort. Volunteers also said the process of sorting, tracking, and delivering donations helps build leadership and organizational skills that extend beyond the classroom.
“Just being part of this, even in a small way, makes you realize how much you can contribute when everyone works together,” Epstein said.
Feed Forward leaders Banwo and Epstein said the project also gives students an opportunity to learn about local organizations and systems that support families. From coordinating with the food bank to understanding how items are distributed, students gain insight into the broader community network that fights hunger.
Betzold said the students’ leadership has been the most rewarding part of the project. For her, success isn’t measured by the number of items collected but by the awareness, empathy, and engagement the drive inspires.
“Even one nonperishable item is one more than we had before the drive, so it is a success already,” Betzold said.
As Feed Forward prepares to officially launch, volunteers are ready to collect, sort, and deliver donations. The drive represents a tangible way for MNHS students to step up and make a difference — and it’s just the beginning. Organizers hope this initiative will grow into a lasting tradition of service, showing how a single school community can help countless families in need.