Rock Canyon High School Football Team Supports Community Hunger Relief Efforts

Introduction

The Rock Canyon High School football team in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, recently engaged in a community service initiative by collecting and delivering food and toiletries to St. Elizabeth’s Pantry at Pax Christi Church. This effort aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 2: Zero Hunger, and SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.

Community Engagement and Contribution

1. Food and Toiletries Collection: The team organized a drive to gather essential items to support local families in need.
2. Delivery and Assistance: After delivering the collected goods to St. Elizabeth’s Pantry, team members assisted in marking expiration dates and stocking the pantry shelves, ensuring efficient distribution.

Local Impact and Accessibility

• The pantry is conveniently located directly across from Rock Canyon High School, facilitating easy access for the team and community members.
• St. Elizabeth’s Pantry operates every Friday from 10 a.m. to noon, providing consistent support to those facing food insecurity.

Leadership and Community Values

Head Coach Nick Artinger emphasized the importance of community involvement, stating:

“We pride ourselves on what we do for our community. We want to represent not only the school but the community really well.”

This statement reflects the team’s commitment to fostering social responsibility and community solidarity, contributing to SDG 4: Quality Education and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.

Encouraging Broader Community Participation

Denver7 encourages other sports teams and community groups to participate in similar initiatives that promote social good. Examples include:

• Organizing food drives
• Visiting senior citizens centers
• Cleaning up local parks
• Hosting clinics for children

Community members are invited to share their stories and media with Denver7 Sports to highlight positive community impact and inspire further action towards sustainable development.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 2: Zero Hunger – The article discusses the Rock Canyon High School football team collecting and delivering food to St. Elizabeth’s Pantry, directly addressing hunger in the community.
2. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – By providing food and toiletries, the team supports the health and well-being of community members who rely on the pantry.
3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – The team’s community engagement and support for local services contribute to building inclusive and sustainable communities.
4. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – The collaboration between the school team, the church pantry, and media outreach exemplifies partnerships to achieve sustainable development.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified

1. SDG 2: Zero Hunger
   • Target 2.1: End hunger and ensure access by all people to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food all year round.
   • Target 2.2: End all forms of malnutrition.
2. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Target 3.4: Reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.
3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • Target 11.3: Enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated, and sustainable human settlement planning and management.
4. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. SDG 2 Indicators
   • Prevalence of undernourishment (implied by the food collection and distribution efforts).
   • Number of people assisted by food programs such as St. Elizabeth’s Pantry.
2. SDG 3 Indicators
   • Access to essential health services and nutrition support (implied through provision of food and toiletries).
3. SDG 11 Indicators
   • Community participation in local initiatives (implied by the football team’s involvement in community service).
4. SDG 17 Indicators
   • Number and effectiveness of partnerships between schools, community organizations, and media (implied by the collaboration described).

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: denver7.com