Valentine’s Day is usually associated with candy, cards, and flowers, but this year junior Gabby Gallagher is using the holiday to spread care for the community. Gallagher organized a Valentine’s Day food drive through the West Hills Food Pantry to support families facing food insecurity and to encourage kindness among students.
Gallagher says the idea came from a desire to help people who may be struggling to meet basic needs. “Many families struggle with food insecurity for many different reasons,” she explained. “A food drive provides meals and basic necessities, helps others get involved in the community, and encourages kindness.”
She chose to connect the drive to Valentine’s Day because the holiday stands for compassion and caring for others. “Valentine’s Day is about showing kindness,” Gallagher said. “A food drive is a meaningful way to show generosity to people in need, which fits perfectly with the theme of giving.”
Community service is not new to Gallagher. She has taken part in several service activities in the past and says volunteering has always been important to her. One experience that stood out was teaching CCD at St. Margret Mary’s Church, where she realized how small acts of service can have a lasting impact on others.
To spread the word about the food drive, Gallagher used social media to share digital posters online.
Gallagher emphasized that the food drive would not have been possible without help from others. She gave special credit to, junior, Ella Guarino for helping her start and run the project, as well as to everyone who donated. She also thanked West Hills Food Pantry, where all donations are being sent, for the work they do every day to support individuals and families in need.
Outside of organizing the food drive, Gallagher stays busy with lacrosse, cross country, and other service activities. While planning everything, she says green tea was her drink of choice. A fun fact many might not know about her? Her favorite color is green.
When asked to describe the project in three words, Gallagher chose community, sharing, and hope: a reflection of the drive’s purpose and impact.
Her advice to other students interested in starting a similar project is simple and encouraging: “It’s never too late to get involved in the community. There are always simple projects and opportunities that anyone can do to help others.”
Through her Valentine’s Day food drive, Gallagher is reminding everyone that love can be shown not just through words or gifts, but through action and service to those who need it most
