FOOD BASKET 2008The St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute annual Food Basket Drive will start on Wednesday, November 19 and continue every morning in the Student Commons before homeroom (7 - 8 a.m.) until Thursday, December 18. The school's goal is to collect at least 50,000 non-perishable food items for the Warming House in Olean and several local food pantries. This is a great opportunity for all of us to join together to inspire and encourage the students in living out the principles of our Mission Statement, in particular to help the poor.
Our challenge is greater than ever this year. With the troubling economic environment, the reality is that we could face a drop-off in donations - just when the need is so great throughout the Western New York community. Just last year, St. Joe's delivered two truckloads of food donations to the Warming House, which were exhausted in record time. This year - they need us even more.
St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute is proud of this giving tradition established 38 years ago by now-retired faculty member, Charles Ende. Faculty directors Martin Fedchak, Dcn. Thaddeus Pijacki, and Anthony Shilen emphasize that the Food Basket is a student-run program. Having boxes donated, loading the trucks that will take the food to Olean and rising very early to open the donation center is the sole responsibility of the students.
The Food Basket Drive is ultimately a school-wide endeavor and it needs each and every member of our community to join in collaborative spirit. The students who volunteer to serve as directors for the Food Basket work countless hours trying to create a program to “motivate and inspire” their fellow students to share what they have with others in need. While the Food Basket program continues to grow, so does the overwhelming need for more food and therefore, more donations. St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute asks the entire community to give the gift of food. November 19 – December 18: 7 – 8 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute, 845 Kenmore Avenue.
