Trojans give back to the community with Thanksgiving food drive

For many people, the holiday season is a time for generosity and charity. At CVHS, giving to those in need is a way of life. Students and teachers contribute to making the holidays brighter for everyone through their charity.

Leadership brought the giving spirit to CVHS with the annual canned food drive. Food was brought in by students and teachers to donate to the less fortunate.

A massive number of items were brought in for the 2017 CVHS food drive. Students and staff brought in 4,799 items to be given away to people in need.

Over 125 Castro Valley families benefited from the generosity of the CVHS community. Activities director Michael Kentris found the outpouring of generosity from CVHS students wonderful. He felt “heartfelt appreciation for the amazing commitment to the community,” he said.

Carmelina Frasca’s class gave away over 1,500 items to people in need, setting a class record and winning the friendly competition organized by the leadership class. Leadership is aiming even higher for next year, and hopes to feed even more families with even more food.

Another group was also giving to the community this Thanksgiving. In what they termed “Operation Cranberry Sauce,” CrossWinds Church and House One Secretary Kim Klescewski gave out 50 Thanksgiving meals to 50 CVHS families.

“I feel like I’ve been so blessed in my life, this is just a great thing to be able to give back to the community,” she said. The meals were enough to make anyone happy and full, consisting of a twelve-pound turkey, baked potatoes, cranberry sauce, vegetables, pie, and more.

There are many reasons to be generous, and in a refreshing display of human compassion, she gave one: “I love the kids here.”

Klescewski only wishes she got more people to sign up, as she would have been able to give away up to 100 meals. Next year she is aiming for that number in order to provide a happy Thanksgiving for everyone.

It is easily forgotten how generous people can be, but the holidays at CVHS seem to bring out the best and most compassionate parts of students and teachers. One student gave his view of giving during the holidays.

“Giving during the holidays is important because it allows one to show compassion and care and to give back to those who are important, whether it’s family friends, or the community,” said sophomore Justin Tong.