This year the National Honors Society here at LHS decided to stray from the classic tradition of donating food to the Mayflower Marathon, and instead donate to a more local organization, that would help the Ludlow community specifically. The organization they chose is the Survival Center in Indian Orchard, which is more accessible to Ludlow citizens than the Springfield Open Pantry which the Mayflower Marathon contributes to. 

In an email from Mrs. Nemeth sent to LHS students and families, “all the food we collect here at Ludlow High never really reaches Ludlow residents … [The Survival Center] is where only residents from Ludlow, Wilbraham, Hampden and 16 Acres can receive food.” The NHS’ decision to donate to the Survival Center is one that will directly benefit the Ludlow community, something that is important to NHS members. 

This year however, the incentive for the donations has changed. Since it is now held internally within only LHS as opposed to schools all over western Massachusetts, our prize has changed. Instead of just bonus points from teachers, the top three classes who bring in the most food get a breakfast buffet and a movie in the auditorium next Wednesday. This prize along with bonus points from teachers has given students at LHS a huge incentive to donate, with each and every corner of each classroom covered in various food products. 

Another change is how the bonus points work. Rather than giving points to individual students, teachers will give points to certain classes that reach a donation goal. This means that whole classes have been coming together to donate to reach goals and attempt to win the prizes set by Mrs. Nemeth. 

I believe that these incentives, hopefully paired with a real goal of helping out local families during the holidays, will amount to a lot of food for Ludlow residents, benefitting our community.