Thanksgiving is often thought of as the American holiday, where families join together for a feast. However, many impoverished families cannot afford to take part in this tradition.

In order to benefit the community during the fall and winter period, campus leadership students have organized a canned food drive to benefit both the Community Food Bank and the Big Red Bucket food drive created by World Impact.

Though the Big Red Bucket collection date has ended, students are encouraged to donate various canned or boxed foods by Nov. 23 for the Community Food Bank. Classes are instructed to bring their items to their English classrooms and drop them into their designated boxes.

Both the Community Food Bank and Big Red Bucket food drive benefit Valley residents in need of holiday meals. Prior to its deadline, all proceeds from the canned food drive were distributed into red buckets and donated to World Impact. All remaining donations students raise will go to the Community Food Bank.

Instead of focusing on only one fundraising opportunity, leadership students recognized the need to reach out to more than one organization, especially with the current economy.

“Since we often plan activities for the school, the canned food drive will give us a chance as Christians to give to our community and serve others,” Tyler Combs, ’10, said.

In order to bring in more donations, leadership added a competitive edge to the fundraiser by pitting the four high school classes against each other. For each can students brought in, a point was added to their class’ overall score.

However, despite the fun of competition, the canned food drive aims to help students recognize their benefits.

“I am glad to help others because I am so thankful for everything that I have,” Bridget Teixeira, ’11, said. “I may have food on my table, but there are some who don’t. This gives me a chance to share with those people.”

In order to provide a full holiday dinner, leadership has provided a list of necessary items:

–$15 Gift certificate to be used for turkey/ham
–Bisquick
–Potatoes (boxed)
–Gravy
–Canned or powdered milk
–Stuffing mix
–Yams (2)
–Rice
–Beans (3) (kidney, black, pinto, etc.)
–Canned vegetables (2) (peas, carrots, etc)
–Cranberry sauce
–Olives or pickles
–Chicken broth (3)
–Pumpkin pie filling (sweetened)
–Pie Crust (ready-made, not refrigerated or frozen)
–Holiday cookies
–Aluminum roasting pans

All of the above should be boxed or canned. Students are urged not to donate glass items. Also, any other canned or boxed foods will be accepted, as well as monetary donations that will be used to assist families in need.

For more information, visit the Nov. 18, 2008 article, Volunteers seek ‘Big Red Bucket’ donations.