Making an Impact through Service Initiatives
Hanna Grover

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: ‘What are you doing for others?’” These powerful words from Martin Luther King Jr. inspired our Service Committee and our dedicated teacher sponsors (Mr. P, Mrs. Morris, Mme. Olafson) as we organized a week of volunteer efforts in honor of the MLK National Day of Service on January 20th. As January comes to a close, I continue to reflect on the meaningful opportunities we planned for all Senior School students to actively engage in. As a Round Square (RS) school, the RS Ideal of Service encourages us to learn through real-world experiences that bring meaningful and sustainable support to others. With this in mind, we partnered with local organizations to engage in hands-on service, offering both practical help and a chance to reflect on the challenges faced by individuals in our own community.

We began the week on Monday with a trip to the Cloverdale Community Kitchen, an organization that serves over 45,000 hot, nutritious meals annually through their dinner program. Their mission is to address food insecurity while fostering a sense of community for individuals and families facing challenges. Students who attended the trip spent most of the day baking cookies that would accompany their meal services. While baking cookies might seem small, it was deeply rewarding to know that these treats would bring a sense of comfort and warmth to people.

On Tuesday, we worked with Quest Food Exchange, an innovative nonprofit that bridges the gap between food banks and grocery stores. Their mission centers on providing affordable, healthy food to individuals and families in need, all while upholding the principles of dignity, access, and sustainability. Unlike traditional food banks, Quest offers a grocery store shopping experience that empowers individuals to select the items they need. This model not only reduces food waste but also fosters independence. During our time at Quest, we packaged bulk food items into manageable portions and stocked shelves to prepare for their shoppers. Usually, with only three staff members running the operation, their workload is quite heavy, so we were proud to have completed what would typically take them days in just three hours. At the end of our day, I was astonished at how much work we got through with the usage of teamwork, and I know the welcoming staff were very appreciative.

The week concluded with a Volunteer Fair in the library on Friday, where we brought together representatives from organizations such as Brella, Options Community Services, Youth in Action, City of Surrey, Guru Nanak Food Bank, and Residence at Morgan Senior Home. These partners delivered opportunities for students to get involved and for many students, this was the first helping step that aided them in discovering how they could contribute to their communities.

As we wrap up this month of service, I want to leave you with something to think about: Look around you. The community we served isn’t just out there—it’s right here, in your classroom, on your street, at your local stops. The need is all around us, and the impact we can make is too. Martin Luther King Jr's words were a call to action, a reminder that the work of change doesn’t just happen in grand gestures or distant places— rather it begins right where we are.

Contributed by Hanna G, Grade 11 Student and Senior School Service Steward