By Kira Nelson
RED BANK – Each year, Saint James Elementary School students participate in the time-honored tradition of helping others at Thanksgiving. The students and families collect food items and monetary donations to provide a full Thanksgiving dinner to those in need living in the Red Bank community. This year, Saint James Elementary has supported two local Red Bank organizations: Lunch Break and St. Anthony of Padua’s St. Crispin Society.
Under the leadership of teachers Christine Lucisano and Casey Shields, the Saint James Student Council spearheaded the annual Thanksgiving Food Drive. Each homeroom in grades kindergarten through eighth collected all the trimmings of a Thanksgiving feast and each student made a donation toward the purchase of gift cards for a turkey.
As a result, 18 baskets were filled with food and donated to Lunch Break, an organization that provides food, clothing and fellowship to those in need in Monmouth County and beyond.
The preschool classes also participated in their annual Turkey Trot, a fun Thanksgiving-themed run. Family members and friends sponsored the students and all the money collected – over $1,800 – was donated to the St. Crispin Society’s food bank. St. Crispin’s is a volunteer-based outreach ministry which helps the community through its food pantry, a financial assistance program and other outreach methods.
“At Saint James, we focus on the ‘giving’ portion of Thanksgiving,” explained Joseph Diver, student council president. “We as a school feel empowered to be able to give during these times because we are putting our faith in action. Saint James Student Council and the student body’s goal was to help as many families as possible.”
Shields noted how the Thanksgiving basket drive is yearly tradition, as far back as when she was a student at the school. “As the supervisor for student council, these small actions of donating food and providing for others, allow the students to practice their faith and respond to the call to help others, which instills service throughout their lives.”
JoAnn Giordano, Saint James Elementary School principal, said she is “humbled” by her students’ charitable efforts. “It is inspiring to see how much our students want to help local families. Our students truly understand what the word ‘giving’ means. Our students worked enthusiastically and with pride to ensure that each food basket would bring joy to each family. Through monthly charitable giving, our students not only learn to be leaders in the classroom but leaders in our community.”
The article originally appeared in the November 24 – 30, 2022 print edition of The Two River Times.
