Pantries Receive Over 167 Tons of Food from Great Ignatian Challenge
Pantries Receive Over 167 Tons of Food from Great Ignatian Challenge
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Students load non-perishable food collected during the sixth Great Ignatian Challenge onto a truck for delivery to local food pantries.
In an extraordinary show of generosity, school spirit and commitment to serving the community, fifteen (15) Eastern Jesuit high schools have concluded a friendly, but spirited holiday food drive competition collecting 334,421.56 pounds of food that are filling local food banks and pantries with much-needed provisions during the critical Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons.
Fordham Prep beat their previous records, collecting nearly 65,000 pounds of food (68 pounds/student–an increase of 41% compared to the previous year). The food was distributed to several local agencies, including POTS, Concourse House, Mercy Center, and the Little Sisters of the Poor.
Launched October 18 and ending November 24, the competition, called the Great Ignatian Challenge, included:
- Boston College High School (Boston, MA)
- Canisius High School (Buffalo, NY)
- Cheverus High School (Portland, ME)
- Fairfield College Preparatory School (Fairfield, CT)
- Fordham Preparatory School (The Bronx)
- Georgetown Prep (Washington, DC)
- Gonzaga College High School (Washington, DC)
- Loyola School (Manhattan)
- Loyola Blakefield (Towson, MD)
- McQuaid Jesuit (Rochester, NY)
- Regis High School (Manhattan)
- St. Joseph’s Prep (Philadelphia, PA)
- Saint Peter’s Prep (Jersey City, NJ)
- Scranton Prep (Scranton, PA)
- Xavier High School (Manhattan)
The Challenge derives its name from the 16th-century saint, Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuits.
“The Great Ignatian Challenge invites the community to grow in their awareness of hunger in our community and our world and gives us an opportunity to do something about it,” says Director of Campus Ministry Michael Kravatz P'23, who led Fordham Prep's food drive.
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 $1,830,000 towards scholarship funds for students at these institutions.
“Being able to serve as a co-president for the Great Ignatian Challenge was an honor,” says Jack ‘22. “During the challenge Mr. Kravatz, [co-president] Marco '22, and I made it our mission to remind ourselves that what we are doing here helps so many have meals during this holiday season and relay that message to our peers. This experience has proven to me that the Prep community is unlike any other and are truly men for others. Their generosity is unmatched. When word spread that there was only a week left and we were under our initial goal, the Prep rose to the challenge and succeeded in a record-breaking fashion. To see this happen first-hand gave me a sense of humility and generosity, but also showed me that there truly is no gift like giving,” he continued.
Co-presidents of the Great Ignatian Challenge Jack ‘22 and Marco ‘22 stand at the food collection table in Fordham Prep’s Hall of Honor in November 2021.
Rowen’s support, including more than $430,000 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 937,000 pounds of food!
“What I will remember the most from this Great Ignatian Challenge is the way our community came together this past month,” says Vice President of the Student Body Conor ‘22. “From alumni all the way to current freshman, food and donations came through daily to help solve the problem of hunger in our surrounding community. It felt great to finally be on the forefront of this challenge after being just a donor the past three years. The power of community and brotherhood that is so apparent in the Fordham Prep Jesuit education was at an all-time high during this challenge, and I will forever remember the lessons I’ve learned with and the people I’ve grown close to throughout this project,” he added.