Food Banks Receive Over 250 Tons of Food Collected in Great Ignatian Challenge

Students in the Hall of Honor managing the collection of non-perishable foods during the 7th annual Great Ignatian Challenge.

 

In an extraordinary show of generosity, school spirit and commitment to serving the community, eighteen (18) Jesuit high schools across the United States have concluded a friendly, but spirited holiday food drive competition collecting over 514,797 pounds of food that are filling local food banks and pantries with much-needed provisions during the critical Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons.

 

Launched October 17 and ending November 23, the competition, called the Great Ignatian Challenge, included:

 

The Challenge derives its name from the 16th-century saint, Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuits.

 

The Great Ignatian Challenge was initiated by Jim Rowen (Fordham Prep ’82) in 2016. Inspired by the Jesuit mission of becoming “women and men for others,” the Challenge highlights the collective service power and generosity among Jesuit high schools. In support of the students’ efforts, Rowen has given more than $2,340,000 towards scholarship funds for students at these institutions.

 

Rowen’s support, including more than $510,000 this year, is divided among the schools based on the amount of food collected per student. He said, “St. Ignatius taught us that love speaks louder in deeds more than words. The students at these fifteen Jesuit schools embody Ignatian principles and beliefs. I am inspired by their commitment to be women and men for others.”

 

Since the Challenge began in 2016, the participating schools have collectively amassed over 1.45 million pounds of food!

 

"The Hunger Awareness Committee worked hard to educate the Fordham Prep Community on the prevalence of hunger and food insecurity in our area and our specific goals for the Challenge through assemblies, a hunger banquet for freshmen, flyers, daily announcements, creative videos and various posts to social media and internal media such as Schoology," said Director of Campus Ministry Mike Kravatz P'23. "The facts regarding hunger and food insecurity in our area speak loudly for themselves, unfortunately. This, in turn, inspired the Fordham Prep Community to respond with amazing generosity to the needs of our neighbors which due to factors such as inflation has never been so high. It was truly a successful effort," he continued.