Staff, students, families donate to campus food drive

Campus students and faculty donate canned, boxed and bagged foods to promote the ninth annual Together we CAN food drive, Nov. 12-Dec. 13. The outreach aims to teach the importance of giving back to the community and how donations impact the lives of others.

Students who donate canned goods take part in assisting underprivileged families around Fresno. The contributions will be taken to the Pinedale Community Fellowship to serve families in need. 

Leadership advisor and history teacher Robert Foshee enjoys partnering with Pinedale Community Fellowship lead by pastor Richard Amparano. Foshee encourages students to embrace the spirit of giving as they bring in donations.

“I think that it’s important for students to donate because it makes them realize that there are other people who have needs out there and sometimes we forget how much we have,” Foshee said. “If we always focus on ourselves, we only pay attention to what we don’t have, but when we see others needs it reminds us of how blessed we are.”

Students can bring their donations to any of their homeroom period classrooms or to the high school office. Dried, boxed or bagged food items are also welcomed alongside the canned food to support the Pinedale community.

In the following podcast, junior Jewel Chandler interviews Robert Foshee about the upcoming food drive.

Junior Hannah Van Noy believes in the importance of supporting local community outreaches. Van Noy donated about 15 cans last year.

“I think that donating food helps students gain community awareness,” Van Noy said. “It also helps students connect to a community outside of their own. For me, it has been an eye-opening experience.”

High school English teacher Andrea Donaghe reflects on how giving back to the community generates a personal impact. Growing up, Donaghe reached out to her community by volunteering at hospitals or the Salvation Army.

“Growing up, my parents required that we volunteer,” Donaghe said. “My sister delivered food for the food pantry. Her stories opened my eyes to those who truly lacked food supply. I think that for many of us it is incomprehensible to not have food in our pantries; now I don’t take cans or anything in my pantry for granted.”

If students, parents, or staff are interested in lending a hand, donations will be accepted through Dec. 13, the day before Christmas vacation. 

For more information, contact the FC student leadership team.

For more articles, check out COLUMN: International students Luke Wu shares advice for students from foreign countries or Operation Christmas Child inspires community, prompts schoolwide giving.

Jewel Chandler can be reached via email and Twitter.