Submitted by Montverde Academy
Montverde Academy Upper School students recently came together for a meaningful day of service with Light Orlando’s Project Hunger, helping package meals for families in need throughout the community.
Light Orlando hosts Project Hunger two times each year, bringing volunteers together to sort, package, and prepare meal kits for families facing food insecurity. During Saturday’s event, Montverde Academy students joined volunteers from across the community in contributing to the creation of 1 million meal kits.
A large group of Upper School students participated, including members of the girls volleyball and girls basketball teams. Working together, students sorted ingredients, assembled meal kits, and prepared packages for distribution.
“Giving back today was a meaningful experience because we got to help people in need. It felt good knowing that something as simple as our time and effort for a couple hours could make a big difference in someone else’s life. I’m grateful that we got to do this today and give back,” said junior Layla Adams.
For senior Jordan Speller, the experience was also an opportunity to build community. “My experience today was really good. I bonded with my team and made some friends on the volleyball team. If I had to decide today in one word, I’d say outstanding. From start to finish there was never a second that I wanted to leave. I really do recommend doing this through the year and would like to come back for MLK Day.”
“Last week, Light Orlando reached out to invite our students to participate in Project Hunger, sharing how consistently impressed they have been with the dedication and quality of work our students bring to their service opportunities,” said Mrs. Margaret Price, Assistant Dean of Students for Multiculturalism, Leadership, and Student Programs. “Although the invitation came together at the last minute, our Upper School community responded with tremendous enthusiasm. Our girls volleyball and girls basketball teams, along with a large group of Upper School students, stepped forward to serve. We are incredibly proud of the way our students embraced this opportunity to make a meaningful difference, and we are deeply grateful to our weekend team chaperones, coaches, and students for their willingness to step up and serve our community.”
For the girls basketball team, the experience provided a chance to strengthen relationships, particularly as new players joined the program. “Today was an amazing experience allowing the team to bond with each other while giving back to the community! As we have a lot of new girls in the program it was nice to spend time with them and allow us to see how our personalities mesh,” said junior Zoe Newell.
Sophomore Belen Scanlon appreciated both the impact of the service and the opportunity to work alongside fellow students. “Getting the opportunity to make a tangible difference was incredible! Not only were we able to help, but we also got to interact with each other and our community by packaging and preparing meals for those in need. It was truly a great experience!” When asked about the music playing during the event, Belen added, “Yes! It was super fun to sing along and dance with everyone whilst working!”
Through Project Hunger, Montverde Academy students demonstrated the power of giving their time and talents to support others. Their service on August 22 not only contributed to a major community effort to create 1 million meal kits, but also reflected the Academy’s commitment to developing students who lead with compassion, character, and a spirit of
