Students at Newton holding food drive

NEWTON — Every year, Newton High School holds a food drive to help raise money and gather donations for the Sussex County Social Services Food Pantry. This year is going to be a little different though; the drive is being run almost entirely by students, mainly from the high school's National Honor Society, Student Council, classes, clubs and sports teams. Alumni and parent groups are also involved. Students and clubs from other areas and schools are invited to get involved. "What people don’t realize is that Newton High School has one of the highest percentages of students who benefit from this food pantry,” said the students in a press release. “That means that what you donate might help someone you actually know in addition to the many needy people you don’t, and that means that the stakes are higher for us than they are at other schools." The drive will be held from March 5 to March 19. Donations from clubs and from the public may be dropped off on weekdays between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. in the main office at Newton High School, located at 44 Ryerson Ave. in Newton. The student group asked that bottled water and 50-pound bags of rice, or other industrial-sized items, not be donated. Items to donate Cereal Meals in a can (Spaghettios, Beefaroni, ravioli, beef stew, chili) Tuna Peanut butter and jelly Mac & Cheese Spaghetti and tomato sauce Hearty soups Canned fruit Juice Rice/instant potatoes (1-2 pounds) Baby food and formula Diapers Personal hygiene products Cash donations and supermarket gift cards