#Japan #Food Bank #Ota #Gumma Academy #SDGs School

Charity Food Drive Donation Ceremony at Gumma International Academy

On July 14, 2026, at Gumma International Academy, a comprehensive education institution located in Ota City, the Pal System Gunma cooperative organized a food donation ceremony starting at 15:10. The event was in collaboration with the Ota International Educational Corporation, with Seigi Shimizu serving as the chairman of the board, and Tado Rori as the principal of the middle and high school section. Following the formalities, students from the academy and participating organizations engaged in discussions about the significance of the food drive and local social issues.

Community Contribution through Children’s Goodwill

The donation ceremony was emceed by personnel from Pal System Gunma, who presented the food items to the food bank in Northern Kanto, run by NPO Mitsumatsu Association and led by President Kazuki Tsukada. The students had taken the initiative to rally food donations, enthusiastically participating in activities ranging from the collection of goods to checking expiration dates of the donated items.

Post-ceremony, students shared their experiences from the food drive and reported on its activities. The food bank also provided insights into its operations, which include free food distribution services to families in need within Gunma, southern Tochigi, and northern Saitama, as well as children's cafeterias, support groups, and welfare facilities. Through these interactions, students exchanged thoughts with representatives from the food bank, deepening their understanding of the food drive's significance and the challenges faced by the local community.

Overview of the Ceremony

• - Date and Time: July 14, 2026, from 15:10 to 16:00
• - Location: Audio-Visual Room, Gumma International Academy
• - Participants: 8th-grade students from Gumma International Academy, SDGs Promotion Department of Pal System Gunma
• - Donation Recipient: Food Bank Northern Kanto

SDGs Initiatives in Education

Pal System Gunma has been engaging with educational institutions in the region since the fiscal year 2019 through the “SDGs School Action” initiative, which promotes understanding through workshops and practical activities. They have been sharing examples of SDGs achievement efforts, such as its delivery service, to highlight the necessity of addressing environmental and social issues.

From this year, Gumma International Academy began its collaboration with special SDGs classes aimed at the 8th grade. The recent food drive served as a practical application of lessons learned in these special classes. In September, additional opportunities such as a field trip to see Pal System's sustainable farming efforts will be offered for interested middle school students, promoting multi-faceted learning exchanges that deepen students’ connections to their community.

Image showing activities during the SDGs special class in May 2026.

Pal System Gunma remains committed to partnering with various organizations that are addressing local challenges to collectively work towards solving societal issues.

About Pal System Gunma

• - Location: 120-11 Naka-Orai, Takasaki City, Gunma
• - Chairperson: Machiko Ohira
• - Investment Amount: 1.15 billion yen
• - Number of Members: 52,000
• - Total Business Revenue: 6.36 billion yen (as of March 2026)
• - Website: Pal System Gunma

About Pal System Cooperative Federation

• - Location: 2-2-6 Oguobuchi, Shinju-ku, Tokyo
• - Chairperson: Haruki Shibusawa
• - Total Revenue: 268.96 billion yen
• - Total Number of Members: 1.77 million (as of March 2026)
• - Member Cooperatives: Includes Pal System Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chiba, Saitama, Ibaraki, Tochigi, Yamanashi, Nagano, Gunma, Fukushima, Shizuoka, and Niigata.
• - Website: Pal System Cooperative