Youth Ending Hunger (YEH) club hosted a meal packing event during lunch on the Quad on Feb. 5. The club, founded in 1987 by faculty member at the Westlake School for Girls, Marian Hall, works to fight food insecurity in Los Angeles through service trips and events. The event invited students to help package 90 bagged lunches, to be transported to the North Hollywood Home Alliance and distributed to local unhoused individuals.
YEH leader Talia Hannani ’26 said she was grateful to see so many students showing up and supporting a good cause.
“We’ve been having these meal packing events since the beginning of the year, and this past Thursday, we had the biggest turnout of helpers and finished packing all 90 meals only halfway through lunch,” Hannani said. “Every single person who shows up makes the process that much faster and that much more enjoyable.”
YEH member Luci O’Neil ’27 said that she feels a deep sense of pride in helping her community.
“I feel proud to be part of a community that cares enough to spend time giving back and bettering the lives of others,” O’Neil said. “Packaging meals is such a small and easy activity that can have a serious impact on someone who doesn’t know where their next meal will come from. We live in a society where homelessness is rampant, and I hope as a community we can eventually find a more lasting solution.”
Club advisor and Director of Community and Public Affairs Communications Stacy Marble said that the process of personalizing the bags demonstrates the thoughtful atmosphere of the club and its genuine relationship with its partners.
“One of the most meaningful parts of this work is seeing the care and love that goes into each lunch. Students decorate every bag with kind, personal messages and those gestures matter,” Marble said. “The recipients notice them, and we often receive positive feedback that affirms how impactful these small acts of humanity can be.”
Club member Ozzie Gray ’28 said he is glad to have found the club and enjoys participating in every meal packing event.
“Packing sandwiches is always a fun time because I get to hang out with my friends and help make a difference while also earning community service hours,” Gray said.
“I feel such a strong sense of community when I’m surrounded by this group,” Gray said. “I’m really proud, I think we all are, that we are always able to come together and achieve our goals.”
Marble said the club hopes to expand its outreach by involving younger students and working with community organizations.
“Plans are underway to expand Youth Ending Hunger to the Middle School this year, extending student engagement and impact,” Marble said. “The club’s legacy continues to grow through student leadership and community partnership.”
