Food for Thought

By: Contributor Last Updated: November 19, 2009

Written by Jane Scupham, principal

I look forward to Family Friday every month. The children in my family, the Troop, are a wonderful, caring group of students. I like sitting with them at Mass and laughing with them as we manage to squeeze 12 people into my office to share snacks and activities. When it is not Family Friday and I see one of my family members reading at Mass or having a blast on the playground, I can’t help but smile and feel the warmth of pride that any parent feels. Last week I was so proud of all the Family Friday participants. There were worries among the teachers and staff that maybe not enough was done to remind the students to bring their food items to be donated to the local Christian Food Pantry. As Mrs. Czekaj and Mrs. Franz assembled and stacked in towering piles cardboard carton after cardboard carton, it didn’t seem possible that we would ever fill all of them. On Friday morning there were only 3 boxes of macaroni and 2 cans of tuna in Troop’s rather large box—not too promising a beginning.

But the tide turned in the afternoon. As families were called to begin gathering in their assigned rooms, students were seen scurrying to their families laden with all kinds of boxes, cans, and bags. The Troop’s box quickly filled with all kinds of goodies. The same scene was played out all over the building. When it was time to gather in the Church for our prayer service of thanksgiving, samples from each box were set before the altar steps and spilled out down the aisle. It was an awesome sight to see.

Mr. and Mrs. Czekaj and I had the privilege of delivering the food to the Christian Food Pantry on Tuesday after school. We filled the Czekaj’s truck and car, and my van with all the boxes brimming with food. The volunteers at the pantry thought we had only one car and were beginning to thank us warmly when we said there were 2 more to unload. They were amazed by the generosity of the children and their real families. I felt blessed to be there to witness their genuine gratefulness for the gifts of our students. Thank you to everyone who helped to bring joy to so many!