Fourth Form Students 'Walk A Mile' to Fight Hunger

While Canterbury is a community in and of itself, it is also part of the larger community of New Milford. And during the Fourth Form retreat on Sunday, September 21, students worked to give back to that community by participating in “Walk A Mile for a Meal.” 

The event, sponsored by New Milford Social Services and local grocery store Big Y, served to benefit the New Milford Food Bank. Every Thursday, the food bank offers a weekly program where residents experiencing food insecurity can “shop” for fresh, frozen, and shelf-stable goods based on their family size and needs. And with so many families and individuals passing through the doors every week, donations are not only appreciated but desperately needed.

“At Canterbury, we are constantly looking for ways our students can meaningfully serve their communities,” says Josh Leeuw, Director of the D’Amour Center for Faith, Service, and Justice. “This year, [Head of School] Caroline Blatti and I have decided to use the United Nations Sustainable Goals and the Seven Themes of Catholic Social Teaching as our guideposts for the D'Amour Center. Activities like this align so much with helping end food insecurity and taking care of our brothers and sisters on the margins."

Canterbury joined other local organizations and individuals to purchase much-needed pantry items. Prior to the event, Fourth Form theology teacher Tracy Garcia-LaVigne helped students prepare by making well-rounded grocery lists. Shelf-stable items like rice, pasta, and beans were requested, but so too were products many might take for granted or not consider, such as cooking oil, broth, laundry detergent, or hygiene products. On the day of the walk, students were driven to Big Y, where each purchased a bag of essential items. They then walked from the store, over Veteran’s Bridge, and through New Milford’s historic downtown to the Congregational Church to deliver the items to volunteers. 

"The best part of the Walk-A-Mile event for me is our students getting to be an integral part of our community,” says Mr. Leeuw. “I love seeing students talk to members of the New Milford community and expand their worldview." 

After completing their task, students joined in a moment of reflection on the green before walking back to campus. Why is it important to give back to the local community? What does it mean for Canterbury to have a good relationship with the town of New Milford and the surrounding communities, and why does that matter?

“I felt really good knowing that the groceries we bought at Big Y would go directly to the food bank and help people who need it most,” said participant Hannah Chang. “It felt like such a privilege to be able to support others in this way. … I think it’s important to be involved in the community because even small acts of service remind us that we’re all connected, and together we can bring hope and care to others.”

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