KERNERSVILLE — Students, families and staff at Bishop McGuinness High School have spent more than 250 hours this year supporting a local fresh and reclaimed food initiative called “Out of the Garden.”

The Greensboro-based project provides meals to students in Guilford County for the weekend, as part of Operation Backpack. Out of the Garden also hosts fresh mobile markets and runs an urban teaching farm. Besides distributing fresh food, reclaimed food is donated from local grocery stores and businesses in an effort to prevent food waste.

This aligns with Pope Francis’ call for everyone to reorient their lifestyles in a conscious, responsible manner to ensure that no one is left behind and everyone receives food, both in quantity and quality.

“To throw food away means to throw people away,” the pope has said.

Bishop McGuinness students have spent time sorting and packaging food for students in public school as well as families who attend community shopping events.

Beyond their support for Out of the Garden, the school community has also worked on two Habitat for Humanity houses in the Winston-Salem area, cleaning and laying wood floors.

“The Family Association’s Service Committee has made it a priority to find and present opportunities for parents and students to serve the local community through organized days of service,” said Katie Williams, Bishop McGuinness High School’s director of advancement. “Out of the Garden Project, Habitat for Humanity, Ronald McDonald House and local parishes have been the beneficiaries of hundreds of hours of service already this year. We are grateful for the students and parents who have stepped up with their time, talent and treasure to make these initiatives a priority.”

— Patricia L. Guilfoyle. Vatican News contributed.