Grace Rall ’25 | Tory Lynn ’25
In 2012, the Lower School first participated in Rise Against Hunger, a worldwide organization that selects struggling communities around the world and provides meals to families of up to six people. The COVID-19 pandemic, however, forced EA to adjourn their partnership due to safety concerns in 2020. In the past month, the Lower School restored its relationship with Rise Against Hunger by packaging meals. During this process, students were also able to learn about world hunger.
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Rise Against Hunger was founded in 1998 by Ray Buchanan and John Hewitt. The organization aims to inspire local volunteers to combat hunger crises in the Caribbean, Africa, and other parts of the world. As of 2023, Rise Against Hunger has packaged over 17 million meals and has positively impacted almost three million people.
The EAPA was originally the only EA-related program that participated in Rise Against Hunger. However, Head Chaplain, Father Tim Gavin, wanted to extend the experience to the Lower School. The EAPA’s experiences sparked an interest to encourage young EA students to assist underserved families. Gavin explains that “it is an opportunity as people in the world that we could make an impact, even our youngest kids, our four-year-olds in Pre-K can have an impact on such a global issue like hunger. The organization provides opportunities that align with our mission to help students lead lives of purpose, faith, and integrity.”
Photo courtesy of EA Communications
Catherine Hicks, a Lower School teacher, believes that the Rise Against Hunger initiative connects to what students learn in Chapel.
“We always wrap up Chapel by saying ‘now that our Chapel service is over, let our service to one another begin,” she says.
Gavin agrees with Hicks, adding, “What we learn in our sanctuary should be taken out into the world.”
By engaging with Rise Against Hunger, Lower School students are able to exhibit the stripes while learning life lessons surrounding the effects of helping others. Hicks states, “It is important for kids to experience and participate and care for others beyond just themselves, especially in our world.” Caroline Powell ’25 reminiscences about her experiences with the organization in Lower School, commenting, “I remember packaging meals in Lower School. I loved to feel like I was participating in something bigger than myself. I felt like I had a big impact on the community surrounding me despite being small.”
The Lower School also provides other opportunities for students to serve the local community such as singing at retirement homes, constructing care packages for the homeless, participating in the Can Drive, and volunteering for the Read-a-thon. Last year during the Read-a-thon, Lower School students raised over $22,000 for St. Mark’s School in Haiti and St. James School in Philadelphia.