Pushing a cart filled to the brim with canned goods, senior Alan Wang weaves through the crowded aisles of the Capital Area Food Bank warehouse. Around him, volunteers from the TeensForFoodBanks club move briskly, sorting donations and packing weekend food bags for local families.
As president of TeensForFoodBanks, Wang has transformed the club to one of the school’s most popular service organizations, leading the efforts to directly support food-insecure families across the county.
“I’ve seen the club grow for many years now, but never so exponentially,” said Physical Education Teacher Nick Vanderhye , sponsor of TeensForFoodBanks.
Wang has always had a passion for community service, but it wasn’t until early freshman year, during a club trip to a local food pantry, that the issue felt personal.
“When I first joined this club in freshman year, shelves emptied fast and restocking took even longer,” Wang said.
After this eye-opening experience, Wang has pushed to expand the club’s mission by coordinating monthly collections at grocery stores such as the local Giant and collecting food donations by people’s doorsteps.
Wang’s successful efforts quickly brought in more volunteers and interest for leadership opportunities, marking the start of the club’s rapid growth.
“I started to add more volunteer shifts each month,” Wang said. “We wanted to make sure our efforts were consistent, not just something we did around the holidays.”
Club members have seen Wang’s leadership skills facilitate significant change in the work ethic and efficiency of TeensForFoodBanks.
“Alan always checks in to make sure everyone knows their role and encourages [everyone] to step up and take initiative,” senior volunteer Annie Gao said. “It’s empowering, and it’s not just doing busywork.”
Under Wang’s guidance, the club has grown into a student-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to reducing food insecurity across Northern Virginia through organized food drives and community partnerships. The club now partners with local organizations including the SHARE of McLean, the Arlington Food Assistance Center, Temple Rodef Shalom and the Capital Area Food Bank, helping to provide thousands of canned goods to families facing financial hardships.
“Even though I’m newer, I feel like what I do matters,” junior volunteer Caius Antolik said. “Alan and the other leaders make sure everyone has a purpose and that no effort is wasted.”
Leading one of McLean’s largest clubs also comes with significant pressure, but Wang approaches it with a steady mindset, focusing not on recognition, but community impact.
“There’s always more to do,” Wang said. “Every little effort makes a huge difference.”
TeensForFoodBanks goes beyond donations to make real change in communities. The club raises awareness about local food insecurity.
“Many people think that a rich city like McLean doesn’t need help in terms of food insecurity, but it lingers here in our own neighborhoods,” Wang said.
Wang continues to pour his heart into the club, aiming to host food drive events more frequently.
“Most people see the day of the event, but there’s a lot of preparation that goes into making sure everything runs smoothly,” Wang said. “We spend weeks just coordinating with partner organizations, preparing sign-ups and organizing materials.”
Every box packed with food sends the message that care, initiative and teamwork can make a profound impact.
“Every family we help reminds me that even small actions make a huge difference,” Wang said. “Every change is impactful.”
