Tim Sienko ’16 interviewed Mr. Hajduk about the progress on the year’s food drive goals.

Sienko: Have we met the 75th Anniversary goal to collect 75,000 pounds of food this year?

Hajduk: We have reached a little over 61,000 pounds, which is about 81% of our goal. We will be having more efforts in the spring term.  However, students shouldn’t wait!  Get a collection going at your church or in your community for the Interfaith Food Pantry and it will go to our goal.  There will be a special prize to the student who does this and brings in the most food!  And, of course, you can bring in food EVERYDAY!  Just drop the cans in the green bins in the basement of the Science Pavilion by the bus loop.

S: How successful was the the Souper Bowl?  Did we collect the 17,000 pounds that we needed to hit 75,000?

H: Actually, due to three snow days, I don’t think the Souper Bowl ever got traction.  We only collected about 3,000 pounds.  That said, the Interfaith Food Pantry had a soup shortage, and they were overwhelmingly thankful for the donation.  You can imagine that soup is in high demand during the cold months!

S: Which Deanery brought in the most food overall? For the Thanksgiving Drive?  For the Souper Bowl?

H: The Lenape won the Thanksgiving Food Drive (BTW Lenape – I need your breakfast sandwich orders!).  We did not keep track of deanery amounts for the Souper Bowl.

S: Which student brought in the most soup for the Souper Bowl?

H: William Stroud brought in the most soup – 363 pounds!  He will be receiving a special gift.  Great job!

S: In addition to the Community Soup Kitchen and the Interfaith Food Pantry, do we donate food to any other organizations?

H: Those are the main ones to which we donate food.  We used to be involved with the Community Food Bank in Hillside as well.

S: How long has Delbarton have the tradition of collecting food for organizations?  What were some of the first goals?

H: I would say some sort of collecting is probably as old as the school.  As far as organized drives, a long time, that’s for sure, especially for the Community Soup Kitchen.  I have asked about this and the answer I have received is likely about 30 years!

S: How confident were you that the Delbarton community could meet the goal of 75,000?

H: It is my experience that our families always come through.  We have such generous families and we are very blessed.

S: What do you think Delbarton is so successful in meeting their goals for donations year after year?

H: Because of the generosity of our families and because as a community we embrace the principle from the Gospels and The Rule of St. Benedict that “more is expected of the person to whom more has been entrusted.”

S: Do you have a goal in mind for next year?

H: I don’t really have one.  This was a special goal for a special anniversary.  Right now, I am focused on encouraging the community to meet this one.