Fighting food insecurity at Trenton event offers many lessons to area students [L.A. PARKER COLUMN]

Hundreds of local high school and college students learned lessons of a lifetime during their participation in the Trenton Plates, The World Takes food distribution event.

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Youth energy filled Cure Insurance Arena on Wednesday, Sept. 24, as Cross Community, Inc. joined forces with Rise Against Hunger. At least eight Mercer County schools comprised 500 of the 1500 volunteers who packaged over 300,000 meals.

While numbers below reflect estimates, some potentially lower or higher, youth made up about 33-percent of volunteers. Princeton High (15); Trenton High (40); Ewing High (88); Hun School (75); Peddie School (30); Foundation Academies (30); Isles Youth Institute (20); and drumroll please (louder); Thrive Charter School (Hamilton) sent 160 beautiful young human beings to change the world.

Foundation Academy students and faculty members at the Trenton Makes, The World Takes event inside Cure Arena in Trenton.
(Laura Mora/for The Trentonian)

Rise Against Hunger collaborated with Cross Community, Inc. to package more than 300,000 meals for Trenton Plates, The World Takes outreach in Trenton.
(L.A. Parker/The Trentonian)

Thrive Charter School, Hamilton, showed up and showed out with 160 students for Trenton Plates, The World Takes event in Trenton.
(L.A. Parker/The Trentonian)

Princeton High School students were part of amazing presence of students from Mercer County at Trenton Plates, The World Takes event in Trenton.
(L.A. Parker/The Trentonian)

The Cross Community/Rise Against Hunger effort hoped to fill more than 1300 boxes for shipment.
(L.A. Parker/The Trentonian)

Rise Against Hunger is a global movement that aims to end hunger through various initiatives.
(L.A. Parker/The Trentonian)

Jasmine Ross, executive director of Cross Community, holds nutrient packet essential to meal packets produced during a Trenton Plates, The World Takes event.
(L.A. Parker/The Trentonian)

Stone Powell-McDavitt, partnership manager for Rise Against Hunger, enjoys gratification in fighting world hunger.
(L.A. Parker/The Trentonian)

Tracy and Rob Ross (third and fourth from left) serve as integral members of Cross Community, Inc.
(L.A. Parker/The Trentonian)

An estimated 1,500 volunteers worked staggered shifts during Cross Community’s Trenton Plates, The World Takes event at CURE Insurance Arena in Trenton.
(L.A. Parker/The Trentonian)

One box holds enough food to feed a student for one full school year.
(L.A. Parker/The Trentonian)

A Trenton Plates, The World Takes effort produced almost 300,000 meals to be shipped around the world.
(L.A. Parker/The Trentonian)

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Foundation Academy students and faculty members at the Trenton Makes, The World Takes event inside Cure Arena in Trenton.
(Laura Mora/for The Trentonian)

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Plus, other contributors included The College of New Jersey, yes, officials removed Trenton State College from the campus name but the Ewing-based school remains tethered to the capital city, especially with a Bonner Program (students from multiple backgrounds who each complete 300 hours of community service and training in return for a need-based tuition scholarship); the Cambridge School (Pennington); Trenton High’s Marching Band and Auxiliary Squad; Gear Up of Mercer County Community College; and members of Mission Impact (Robbinsville) added strength to mission.

Mission Impact connects youth with real non profit needs — guided by mentors, driven by purpose, and built to create lasting change. Oh, to be young again and harnessed to such idealism and energy, knowing that a contribution of time blended with personal dreams to make a difference could change the world.

Thrive Charter School? Wow. A former school on life support as Trenton Catholic Academy returns as a community champion featuring legions of youth intending to impact the world. Sure, their boys basketball squad won a state championship in 2025 but that accomplishment, wonderful, exciting, and admirable, pales in comparison to feeding food-deprived children in Sudan.

Thrive Charter missions to empower students with knowledge, critical thinking skills, and a sense of civic responsibility, fostering their growth into confident, compassionate, and capable individuals prepared to thrive in a diverse and ever-changing world.

Trenton Central High School educates 2,000 students although community service does not list as part of the curriculum. Imagine their impact if each student were required to make a contribution of 10 meaningful hours in our community.

In a youth world of selfies, self-interest, self-promotion, and selfishness, flipping the script to help others with dedication of hours to community service provides a wonderful contrast.

Okay, videos of students filling boxes with food that will feed children halfway around the world may not go viral, but the impact of their contribution ranks as immeasurable.

Thanks to all students who volunteered for this special world outreach and the parents/adults/teachers who support their efforts. You have and will make a positive difference.

You’re just getting started.

L.A. Parker is a Trentonian columnist. Find him on Twitter @LAParker6 or email him at [email protected].