Cultural Celebrations and Community Resilience Amid Challenges

Tottenville High School recently hosted a vibrant holiday food drive known as Give Grub, Get Grub Family Night, which took place on a Wednesday evening. This event was organized by student-led organizations including the Council for Unity, My Sisters Keeper, and My Brothers Keeper, uniting students, their families, and community members.

Attendees were encouraged to bring three non-perishable food items for entry, with all donations going directly to Project Hospitality, a Staten Island nonprofit dedicated to providing food and shelter to families facing food insecurity.

Darlene Boylan, a parent attending the event to support her son, expressed her admiration, stating, 'This is a spectacular event... It's beautiful, the food, atmosphere, and staff members.' The event also featured games, raffles, and a community dinner, serving hundreds of local families.

William Luque, a participant from My Brothers Keeper, shared his passion for community service, saying, 'I believe that giving back to the community is one of the best things a human being could do.' Council for Unity advisor Hagar Abuella highlighted the involvement of nearly 300 students who helped run the event.

In addition to the food collection, the night included fun activities like a photo booth and a wall where participants could express their gratitude. Diane Kent, a community member who learned about the event through Facebook, took the Staten Island Railway to donate food, praising the initiative and the quality of the event.

She remarked, 'These kids did a great job; the food is delicious and it's plentiful.' The report notes that My Sisters Keeper and My Brothers Keeper are initiatives from the New York City Department of Education aimed at empowering young people of color through leadership and mentorship.

Anthony Acevedo, a teacher involved, confirmed this was the second year of the event, expressing commitment to continue this charitable effort for many years to come. The success of this event exemplifies the resilience of the Staten Island community, especially during the holiday season, as they come together to support those in need.