Every other Wednesday, Dashers, faculty, and staff are invited to bring in a nonperishable food item or a cash donation for Collections Day. In exchange, all receive a coveted out-of-uniform day. On November 5 and 19, though, students went above and beyond a typical Collections Day to "pack the pantry."

For these two Pack the Pantry Days, students were encouraged to bring more than they normally would. These extra donations helped restock the shelves at St. Vincent de Paul Pantry; its supplies had been depleted by the temporary discontinuation of SNAP benefits and by holiday demand.

“It’s a lot busier than a normal Collections Day. Some girls are coming in with more than 20 items! It means a lot to see people coming together," said Krystell Jara-Reynoso, DSHA '27.

In the end, Dashers contributed 250% more than on a normal Collections Day.