The Mercer Island High School boys soccer team scored big with a canned food drive, collecting more than 700 items over the last three months.

Junior Ethan Yang led the way after learning how COVID-19 was impacting massive amounts of people, many who were losing their jobs during the pandemic.

“I thought that maybe I could help out and start a food drive to help feed people who lost their jobs or need food,” Yang said.

To kick off the drive, Yang reached out to Food Lifeline in Seattle and coach Forrest Marowitz, who helped his player get things started, reached out to people and promoted the drive. The duo asked players to bring canned food to the Islanders’ practices and to spread the word to others.

Everyone pitched in, and Yang is glad they have made an impact with the drive.

“When the food started rolling in, it was actually really impressive to see how much food that we were able to collect in such a short amount of time,” said Yang, adding that at post time, people were still dropping off bags of items on his family’s doorstep.

They transported two-and-a-half carloads of food for the first dropoff at Food Lifeline, and they’ll be making another trip soon. Yang said the people who greeted them at Food Lifeline were surprised when they asked for more carts to tote the food into the building.

Sophy Yang, Ethan’s mother, credits her son’s school teachers for getting students to think deeply about helping others.

“I think with COVID, a lot of kids have matured in different ways. It was really good to see that throughout our daily conversations about different topics, he took this one to heart. In December, he finally said, ‘You know what? I’d love to do something,’” Sophy said.

Ethan said he enjoys giving back to the community, and he plans to continue his volunteering in the future. Marowitz said that the entire soccer crew was eager to participate, as they are always looking for ways to lend a hand in the community.

“Food insecurity is an important issue even without a pandemic, and one that Ethan and a lot of our athletes really connect with,” the coach said. “It can be easy to take a simple pre-practice meal for granted, and it’s guys willing to go the extra mile to make a difference, like Ethan, that make our student athletes special.”

As for soccer action, Ethan is itching to play some matches after the high school season was cancelled in the spring of 2020. He was to play in the midfield for his junior varsity squad last year.

“I really miss playing games. Missing one season was really devastating. Hopefully we can play this season,” said Ethan, who is now set to play for his Mercer Island Football Club squad.