\t\t\t\t\tOverview: Food drives<\/p>\n
Several local schools have made sure there will be a little less worry this holiday season for those who are less fortunate.<\/p>\n
The holiday season can be a tough time \u2014 even when you seemingly have everything you want and need.<\/p>\n
Now, imagine the challenge when you\u2019re struggling just to come up with the basic necessities in life. Where your next meal is coming from can be the biggest decision you make on any given day.<\/p>\n
That said, several local schools have made sure there will be a little less worry this holiday season for those who are less fortunate.<\/p>\n
Patrick Henry High School<\/a> recently hosted its annual holiday food drive. In doing so, it brought students across campus in a unified effort to support the San Diego Food Bank<\/a>.<\/p>\n Students from the Associated Student Body worked alongside Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps<\/a> cadets to manage and move donations, taking on the heavy lifting throughout the month-long drive.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Their teamwork and dedication helped the school collect more than 2,737 pounds of food, all of which will be donated to help local families in need.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThe school community extends its gratitude to all students, staff, and families who contributed to making this year\u2019s food drive a tremendous success,\u201d said First Sergeant, USMC (Ret.) Naval science teacher Brigitte Behlman.<\/p>\n For the students involved, helping others leaves them with a good feeling, especially as the holidays draw nearer.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen I go downtown, I see a lot of people in need who have little to no access to essential resources, and seeing them struggle\u00a0makes me sympathize with them, so I help volunteer at different causes so that others may have a chance to feed themselves,\u201d said Thang Tran.<\/p>\n \u201cThese food drives are important because they are supporting a good cause by helping feed those who do not have food,\u201d fellow student An Bui noted. \u201cThe food drive this year has increased greatly as many teachers and their students have a competition to see which class can bring in the most food, which helped to encourage others to participate in donating to the food drive.\u201d<\/p>\n Student Tammy Nguyen pointed out, \u201cDonating to food drives is crucial in supporting families who are in need and ensuring that everyone has access to basic nutrition. Even small contributions can make a big difference\u00a0in improving someone\u2019s day.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Over at Gage Elementary School<\/a>, staff and students have been active with the school\u2019s virtual food drive.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have done an annual food drive through the San Diego Food Bank<\/a> for several years,\u201d Food Drive Coordinator Natalie DeCarli said. <\/p>\n She said that Gage Elementary families can donate using the SD Food Bank\u2019s online store<\/a>, which allows people to \u201cscan\u201d products into a cart to feed local families. <\/p>\n Last year, Gage families donated 1,087 pounds of food totaling 905 meals.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWe have partnered with the San Diego Food Bank for many years which includes pet food too. We collect food year long,\u201d Pershing Middle School<\/a> ASB Coordinator Stacy Robe said. \u201cWe will have another big food drive event in the spring.\u201d<\/p>\n