In the week leading up to Thanksgiving, student groups around the Archdiocese collected canned goods, non-perishables, toiletries, toys, and turkeys for families in need this holiday season.
Saint John Paul II said, “Let us remember the past with gratitude, live the present with enthusiasm, and look forward to the future with confidence.” Catholic school students across Essex, Bergen, Hudson, and Union counties participated in collective efforts to help fight hunger in their communities.
The dedicated volunteer efforts of area Catholic school students and school faculty are pictured below.
The Academy of Our Lady of Grace in Fairview has been collecting food donations to support its community. It recently contributed a portion of the contributions to the Church of the Holy Rosary’s Food Drive, which was started in honor and remembrance of AOLG student Annabelle Quebrada, who passed away on April 28th, 2021 at the age of six following a nine-month battle with brain cancer. The National Junior Honor Society and Student Council at Corpus Christi School in Hasbrouck Heights partnered this year to sponsor a food drive for the Office of Concern Food Pantry at St. Cecilia’s. Each grade was asked to donate the most needed items to the food pantry. Students at Immaculate Heart Academy put together supply bags for the family members of patients who are in hospice. They also hosted a Senior Citizens Thanksgiving Dinner.Mother Seton Regional students gathered in a spirit of gratitude as they prayed in thanksgiving for all the gifts that have been given to them. The student council organized a Thanksgiving food drive to donate baskets of food to those in need.Our Lady of Sorrows School organized a Thanksgiving food drive for a neighboring parish in Orange: Our Lady of the Valley (OLV). OLV runs a soup kitchen six days a week that does not receive dedicated funding.Sacred Heart School in Lyndhurst runs a food drive before Thanksgiving for the Parish Food Pantry so that all families can enjoy a wonderful Thanksgiving meal.Roselle Catholic held a food drive to collect donations for Mercy House in Newark, NJ. They also took 11 students to volunteer at Mercy House on Nov. 17th, where they learned the mission of Mercy House and worked on various service projects to prepare Mercy House for its Thanksgiving dinner giveaway.Our Lady of Sorrows School organized a Thanksgiving food drive for a neighboring parish in Orange: Our Lady of the Valley (OLV). OLV runs a soup kitchen six days a week that does not receive dedicated funding.Our Lady of Sorrows School organized a Thanksgiving food drive for a neighboring parish in Orange: Our Lady of the Valley (OLV). OLV runs a soup kitchen six days a week that does not receive dedicated funding.Our Lady of Sorrows School organized a Thanksgiving food drive for a neighboring parish in Orange: Our Lady of the Valley (OLV). OLV runs a soup kitchen six days a week that does not receive dedicated funding.Union Catholic Regional High School community in Scotch Plains collected over 25 bins of food, including canned vegetables, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, pasta, hot chocolate, crackers, cookies, and of course, 22 turkeys. Students delivered all donations to the Immaculate Heart of Mary Food Pantry in Scotch Plains on Tuesday, Nov. 15.Our Lady of Sorrows School organized a Thanksgiving food drive for a neighboring parish in Orange: Our Lady of the Valley (OLV). OLV runs a soup kitchen six days a week that does not receive dedicated funding.The student council at Visitation Academy in Paramus ran a toy and food drive for the Table of Plenty Pantry at Annunciation Church in Paramus. Once again, the Visitation Academy community was very generous, and many cars were filled with food and toys.The student council at Visitation Academy in Paramus ran a toy and food drive for the Table of Plenty Pantry at Annunciation Church in Paramus. Once again, the Visitation Academy community was very generous, and many cars were filled with food and toys.In the spirit of giving thanks and giving back, Our Lady of Czestochowa School in Jersey City partnered with the Boys and Girls Club of Jersey City for its annual Thanksgiving Food Drive. The food donations will be used to provide Thanksgiving dinners for families in Hudson County. The National Junior Honor Society and Student Council at Corpus Christi School in Hasbrouck Heights partnered this year to sponsor a food drive for the Office of Concern Food Pantry at St. Cecilia’s. Each grade was asked to donate the most needed items to the food pantry. The National Junior Honor Society and Student Council at Corpus Christi School in Hasbrouck Heights partnered this year to sponsor a food drive for the Office of Concern Food Pantry at St. Cecilia’s. Each grade was asked to donate the most needed items to the food pantry. Roselle Catholic held a food drive to collect donations for Mercy House in Newark, NJ. They also took 11 students to volunteer at Mercy House on Nov. 17th, where they learned the mission of Mercy House and worked on various service projects to prepare Mercy House for its Thanksgiving dinner giveaway.
