McQuaid Jesuit participates in their first ever Great Ignatian Food Challenge in hopes of feeding local families in need for Thanksgiving. McQuaid’s teachers and students raised a total of 9,162 pounds of canned food that will be distributed to Rochester families.  

While McQuaid fell short of their 20,000 pound goal, they still believe that students made a big effort to help their community. 

“One thing to keep in mind was the per capita amount which comes out to about five pounds per person,” said Executive Council member, Jude Amen, ’21.

McQuaid’s Executive Council used many different ways to market the food challenge to teachers and students. The senior students used ways such as social media to urge teachers and students to participate in the challenge.

“We also just kept all the food out so it was very visibly apparent, which was just a physical reminder of the challenge going on,” said  Amen.

The Executive Council hopes that it will become a tradition for McQuaid to participate in the Great Ignatian Food Challenge.

“Absolutely, it’s something with more emphasis and more school spirit we can definitely do better in future years,” said executive council member, Henry Smith, ‘21.

McQuaid donated almost 10,000 pounds of food to Food Link, a local non-profit organization and member of Feeding America. Food Link will donate the cans to local food cupboards that will distribute the food to families in need. 

McQuaid was one of nine northeastern Jesuit high schools who participated in Great Ignatian Food Challenge. However, the winners are ultimately the many people who will receive food from this incredible cause.