NEWS RELEASE WCDSB
October 7, 2021 | For Immediate Release | Guelph, ON – With Thanksgiving fast approaching, schools around the Wellington Catholic District School Board have initiated Food Drives to collect donations for those in need this holiday.
St. James Catholic High School
St. James CHS’s Food Drive will be in support of the Salvation Army Food Drive, and will start on October 12 running for the remainder of the month ending on November 1. Organizers are asking for donations of canned soup (especially tomato), canned meat, canned tuna and salmon, canned vegetables, canned beans, canned fruit and peanut butter.
“We feel strongly about supporting our local community, especially in the area of food insecurity,” shared. “Food is a basic human right. We are all one family and must to reach out when we have something that the others need more desperately than we do.”
For more information or to provide a donation, please visit https://stjames.wellingtoncdsb.ca/.
Bishop Macdonell Catholic High School
Bishop Macdonell CHS is operating a Thanksgiving Food Drive in support of the Guelph Food Bank. They are asking for donations of nonperishable food items, adult and child toiletries, baby food/formula and diapers (size 5& 6). Thus far, numerous students have brought in food items, but will be doing a full count of items on Friday, October 8 – the school is hoping to donate over 1000 items to the Guelph Food Bank.
“It is very unfortunate that there are still people in our community struggling to meet basic needs for themselves and their families. Especially during the holidays, we should all try and help those in our communities, allowing everyone to celebrate and enjoy the holiday spirit,” shared Maya Richmond, grade 11 student at BM. “We are extremely fortunate for everything we have, and we should strive to help those less fortunate in our community.”
For more information or to provide a donation, please visit https://bishopmacdonell.wellingtoncdsb.ca/.
St. Paul Elementary School
St. Paul Elementary School is operating a Thanksgiving Food Drive in support of the Guelph Food Bank. They are looking for donations of toiletries and canned food – particularly canned soups, pasta sauce, vegetables & fruits. Organizers are hoping to fill three full bins before sharing their donation with the food bank.
“We are looking to show gratitude for what we have by sharing it,” said Julie Malone, co-organizer of the campaign.
For more information or to provide a donation, please visit https://stpaul.wellingtoncdsb.ca/.
St. Mary Catholic School in Elora
St. Mary Catholic School in Elora is supporting the Centre Wellington Food Bank through their Thanksgiving Food Drive. They are looking to collect rice and pasta side dishes, cold cereal, canned kidney beans, canned six bean blend, canned green beans and carrots, crackers, peanut butter, carrots and onions, instant coffee, cookies and canned salmon. Their food collection is happening on Thursday.
For more information or to provide a donation, please visit https://stmaryelora.wellingtoncdsb.ca/.
Sacred Heart Catholic School in Rockwood
The student council at Sacred Heart Catholic School in Rockwood collected food items on October 7 for the Rockwood Food Bank. Their goal was to fill Principal David Mencfeld’s truck with non-perishable food items to donate.
“Food Bank shelves become bare with the demand to support those in need,” said Mencfeld.
For more information or to provide a donation, please visit https://sacredheartrockwood.wellingtoncdsb.ca/.
St. John Brebeuf Catholic School
St. John Brebeuf Catholic School in Erin’s Thanksgiving Food Drive is in support of the Erin Food Bank. The school looked for donations of canned goods, non-perishables and pasta. Thus far, the school has collected 12 boxed full of food, but will be looking to fill a pick up truck with donations.
“Catholic Virtues demand this, as Charity is one of the 4 Catholic Virtues. The term “holiday season” is secular one and we use of the opportunity to demonstrate this virtue and live out our values,” shared Lowell Butts, principal of St. John Brebeuf.
For more information or to provide a donation, please visit https://stjohnbrebeuf.wellingtoncdsb.ca/.
St. Michael Catholic School
St. Michael Catholic School will be operating a food drive starting next week and will run until the end of October in support of the Guelph Food Bank. They are asking for donations of non-perishable food items such as peanut butter, pasta, canned meats, rice, cereal etc., as well as adult and children’s toiletries, baby formula and baby foods. Organizers are hoping to fill eight blue donation bins that are placed around school hallways.
“I feel that hunger isn’t seasonal. I arrange our Food Drive after the Thanksgiving holiday when sometimes we see less contributions to food banks. We have no pictures as of yet but we will send some your way next week!” shared Laurie Bonnar, ECE and lead of the food drive at St. Michael’s.
For more information or to provide a donation, please visit https://stmichael.wellingtoncdsb.ca/.
St. John Catholic School – Arthur
supplied photo Students at St. John Arthur
St. John Catholic School in Arthur is operating a food drive in support of the Arthur Food Bank. They are asking for donations of canned goods, baby food and toiletries. The school’s goal this year is to fill one box per class and is well on its way.
“We look to help our community food bank and educate our students about helping others with their donations,” shared Nicole De Francesco, principal of St. John in Arthur.
For more information or to provide a donation, please visit https://stjohnarthur.wellingtoncdsb.ca/.
St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School
St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School is currently doing a Thanksgiving Food Drive lead by their Social Justice Team and staff leads in support of the Guelph Food Bank. Organizers are looking for donations of non-perishable food items, and so far have collected a variety of items including canned vegetables, fruits, soups, sauces, pasta and canned fish. Last year, the school filled two large food bank bins, this year they hope to surpass that!
“As a community, we recognize the need to support others. We aim to teach our students about giving and caring for those in need,” said Renee Waterfield, principal of St. Francis.
For more information or to provide a donation, please visit https://stfrancis.wellingtoncdsb.ca/.
St. Patrick Catholic School
supplied photo St. Patrick Donation Table
The Grade 6 social justice group under the direction of Mrs. Hamilton at St. Patrick Catholic School in Guelph is operating a school wide food drive in support of the Holy Rosary Parish Pantry. They are looking to collect non-perishable food items, toiletries, hygiene products and baby products (diapers, wipes etc.) with the hopes of ‘filling the foyer!’
“We are so thankful for the blessings we have. To be able to share our blessings with those in need in our immediate community, is a gift!” shared Kellie Angerilli, principal at St. Patrick.
For more information or to provide a donation, please visit https://stpatrick.wellingtoncdsb.ca/.
St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic School
supplied photo St. Ignatius Donation Trailer
St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic School is operating a Thanksgiving Food Drive in support of the Salvation Army in Guelph. They are hoping to collect anything that the school community can provide, but would appreciate high protein items. Organizers have collected quite a few items so far, but are still looking for more items in order to fill their donation trailer!
For more information or to provide a donation, please visit https://stignatius.wellingtoncdsb.ca/.
St. Joseph Catholic School in Guelph
The grade 7 class in St. Joseph Catholic School in Guelph is operating a food drive in support of the Guelph Food Bank. Organizers are looking for non-perishable food items and toiletries and have surpassed their goal of 500 items.
“We are grateful for what we have, and we want to support our community by helping others who need it. It teaches students about empathy, compassion, and community,” said Andrea Welsh-Devlin, principal of St. Joseph.
For more information or to provide a donation, please visit https://stjosephguelph.wellingtoncdsb.ca/.
