Grounded in the longstanding tradition of giving and the commitment to be men for others, the Jesuit community has continually sought ways to serve those in need. At Jesuit, service is about more than occasional acts of kindness; it is a call to use our talents and creativity to make a lasting impact in the world.

Good Shepherd School, founded by Fr. Harry Tompson, S.J., serves students from low-income families. Part of their efforts to assist these children, aside from a valuable education, is by providing meals—breakfast, lunch, and dinner—every day. In many cases, these meals represent the primary source of nourishment for the students. Principal Tannya Aguilera M.Ed explained that the children look forward to mealtimes at school, and it is not uncommon for them to feel a sense of loss during school closures or holidays when access to food may be limited.

Inspired by this reality, pre-freshman Caleb Puneky conceived a plan to extend this service beyond school hours. Recognizing that Good Shepherd sends pantry items home discreetly in bags for children in need, Caleb envisioned a way to further support these families. His innovative idea blossomed into the inaugural Pantry Project, an initiative designed to provide additional snacks for the students during their snack time after recess. Puneky believed this project would be a welcome addition to Xavier House, one house in Jesuit’s new house system.

The success of the ‘Pack the Pantry’ snack drive was beyond what we had imagined. Witnessing the sheer joy on the students’ faces as they saw all of the snacks we had collected was amazing. We raised about $3,000 worth of snacks, and it felt like a small token compared to the happiness it brought to the children at The Good Shepherd School. It was a reminder that even the smallest acts of kindness can make a significant difference in the lives of others. -Caleb Puneky

Under Puneky’s leadership, more than $3,000 worth of snacks were purchased and ordered to fill the pantry at Good Shepherd. The items were shipped directly to Jesuit and students delivered the donations directly to Good Shepherd School. “This entire project was Caleb’s idea for Xavier House. I really only assisted him in some of the logistics of it. He had the idea, he conceived how it would work, and he put together the Amazon gift registry,” said Scott Delatte ’06, service director. Delatte added, “I am delighted to see the house system working in such a way as to encourage a spirit of service in our underclassmen. The work here really embodies what we want for our students. Being a man for others is not a mere desire to help others, but the ability to use one’s skills and creativity in order to make it happen.”

Through the Pantry Project, Puneky has not only addressed an immediate need but has also set an example for his peers. This initiative reflects the Jesuit commitment to service and the enduring belief in acting for the well-being of others.