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High schools rev up food drives

Zoey Maraist | Catholic Herald Staff Writer

Drew Carrier, a student at St. Paul VI Catholic High School in Chantilly, loads donations onto the truck for Food for Others. COURTESY

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’Tis the season for celebration, and Catholic high school
students are doing their part to make sure everyone’s plate is full. At St.
Paul VI Catholic High School in Chantilly, students are continuing a
decades-long tradition of collecting nonperishable goods for Food for Others, a
food bank in Fairfax that serves people throughout Northern Virginia.

While the students brought in all kinds of food, certain days
were dedicated to different items, such as oatmeal and mac and cheese, to go
into Power Packs, or take-home meal kits for public school students who receive
free or reduced-price lunches. By the end of the week, 22,675 pounds of food
were collected. The drive, organized by the student government, is also a
competition between the school’s advisories, homeroom-like groups of students
from all grades.

“While the competition is huge for us, we try to drive home each
afternoon how many meals (the students) provided,” said Katie Tinsley, director
of student life. “We try to focus on service.” On Friday morning, she was proud
to see the students lining up with their donations by the truck, not
complaining about the rain or how long it was taking to process the abundance
of food. “We see them strategizing for the game, and that’s a part of it, but
they know that they’re making a difference,” she said. 

Each November, Bishop O’Connell High School in Arlington
participates in “Turkey Blitz,” a two-week fundraiser to support the
Thanksgiving efforts of the Gift of Peace home, operated by the Missionaries of
Charity in Washington. 

Art teacher Joe Crivella spearheaded this event more than 20
years ago after he had an unexpected encounter with Mother Teresa of Kolkata in
this area. He was moved by her presence and the humble work of her sisters who
care for the ill and aged in Washington. With the support of then-principal Al
Burch, the idea of a spare-change collection among religion classes took root.

Today, the school’s Keyettes Club helps spread the word about the
Turkey Blitz on campus through religion classes. In addition to decorated
collection jars in classrooms, an online option provides a convenient way for
friends and family members to participate.

“I am always so humbled and impressed by the giving nature
of our Bishop O’Connell students, families and faculty,” said Crivella. “Every
Thanksgiving without fail, we are able to raise enough funds to properly assist
the Missionaries of Charity in this work.”

 

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