Forty-seven million pounds. That would be about 4,272 male Asian elephants or 141 million apples. As large as a number as it seems, though, Gleaners Community Food Bank, a Michigan-based nonprofit organization that provides resources and education to help overcome food insecurity, was able to raise more than this weight in food in 2025 alone. Through this, they were able to serve over one million houses.
Though the efforts extended across southeastern Michigan, Brighton played a special role in contributing to the fight against food insecurity. Through the BHS National Honor Society’s annual Gleaners Food Drive, the community raised $36,370 towards the cause, which will fund over 100,000 meals for families in need.
“Many people in our county still are going to school but then going home and struggling with knowing there’s [not] food on the table,” said senior and NHS Food Drive Committee Chair Anna Green, “and I think that kids need to grow up knowing that they are going to have food every day and can eat every day.”
The Brighton community has been supporting the food bank for about ten years. Some businesses will help by putting up flyers in their windows or shops. All of the schools have helped the Gleaners Community Food Bank through many food drives each year.
BHS in particular plays a big role in this; in recent years, the school has shifted away from collecting just cans, instead emphasizing monetary donations, which can have a larger impact. In November 2025, NHS raised money in first hour classrooms, hosting a challenge where whichever first hour class raised the most money would get to take first hour off. Mr. Robert Delaney’s class took first place with $14,416 raised, while Mrs. Kelly Armstrong took second with $11,206 and Mrs. Nadine Clark took third with $2,385. Students were encouraged to not only donate their own money but also turn to family members and the wider community to help.
“There’s always sharing the link, and not only sharing yourself, [but] you can share it to your parents and have them put it on their Facebook, their social media— especially, like, the older generations are always more willing to donate [to the food drive],” senior and Food Drive Committee Chair Kendall Eisinger said.
Supporting food banks can be very helpful to many people. Even the smallest donation can be helpful. These organizations can turn one dollar into about three meals for families.
“So, skip Starbucks. Donate the five bucks,” Mr. Sean Carney, graphics teacher and NHS advisor, said.
