New Service Partnerships Enrich SMCS Experience
Service to others is a key pillar at St. Michael’s College School (SMCS), with goodness in action at the heart of our community. Through a variety of service initiatives that support local and broader community organizations and missions, our students have meaningful opportunities to grow in faith and character and to fulfill the call to serve by sharing time and resources. In support of community partners, students are able to engage in rich experiences that deepen their understanding of their neighbourhood, school community, and society. Two groups of students spent time at the North York Harvest Food Bank sorting over 16,000 lb. of food altogether. Over the past school year, SMCS has established two key service partnerships with the Hillcrest Community Food Bank and the North York Harvest Food Bank. Hillcrest Community Food Bank In February, SMCS partnered with Hillcrest Community Food Bank to help address growing food insecurity in our local community. Established in 2023, Hillcrest Community Food Bank is a collaboration between Hillcrest Christian Church, Hillcrest Community School, and the Daily Bread Food Bank. They are located a short walk from SMCS—serving those facing food insecurity in our own backyard. Norah Higgins, SMCS guidance counsellor and Hillcrest resident, recruited student volunteers to assist in this new partnership, and the response was overwhelming, with more than 50 Grade 10, 11, and 12 students signing up. Every Friday, five students travelled to Hillcrest Christian Church to supervise and mentor Grades 5-6 Hillcrest Public School students, who worked during their lunch hour counting, sorting, and organizing the food donations. The partnership also included a Sunday commitment from another team of five SMCS students, who served a three-hour shift greeting clients accessing the food bank, helping distribute food, and acting as interpreters when needed. Students volunteering their time at Hillcrest Community Food Bank. “Sunday was a blast. It was cool to not
