Gonzaga Preparatory School

2021 Thanksgiving Food Drive Teacher Info

WHY?  Asked the purpose of the Gonzaga Prep Food Drive, most people respond, “to feed the hungry.” Yes, because that fulfills Jesus’ Gospel call to love our neighbor. And, our Mission and the goals of Jesuit education call us to a gain a deeper awareness of the causes of poverty and become committed to justice in social and economic structures.

When? The Drive kicks-off on Monday, November 8 and culminates with sorting, Mass and delivery on Wednesday, November 24. .

Safety!

• The safety of our students is our #1 concern so continue to vigilantly wear a mask, maintain social distance and wash your hands or sanitize regularly!
• Always carry ID and wear Gonzaga Prep clothing while collecting or delivering.
• If students encounter problems while collecting or delivering, inform parents/guardians and teacher/administrator as soon as possible.
• The Prep telephone answering machine (509-483-8511) will have a recording on it during the drive announcing that students are out collecting.

Collection of Food

• Outside Grocery Stores. Students must obtain the permission of the manager before collecting outside a grocery store. Avoid Rosauers during Tom’s Turkey Drive, November 19-21
• Door-To-Door. Students may collect door-to-door with masks and students may leave a note at a door asking folks to leave food out on their porch on a particular day when the student will come back and pick it up (like the Boy Scout do).
• Do not collect from homes during the Boy Scouts Drive November 13.
• Always be polite, appreciative and respectful; you are representing Gonzaga Prep.

Recipients – Period 1 classes will be delivering food to 200+ families and providing bulk food to Native American tribes, Second Harvest Food Bank, Catholic Charities housing and a number of small food pantries. Classes will get the preliminary names, telephone numbers and addresses about one week in advance.

Specific Goals for Food and Money  - The Food Drive committee needs $7 from each student to buy the turkeys and pies. There are no specific goals for the food. Historically, Prep has collected about 100,000 pounds of food which averages out to about 120 lbs/student. Below is a list of what food banks typically need:

Protein

Peanut Butter

Canned meat, ham, chicken, tuna

Hearty soups, chili, stews

Macaroni and cheese, boxed dinners

Beans (kidney, pinto, navy, black, refried, etc.)
Fruits and Vegetables

Canned fruits and vegetables

Canned or boxed juices

Boxed mashed potatoes

Dried fruit
Grains

Pasta or Rice

Healthy cereals (low sugar and fat)

Flour, baking mixes

Stuffing mixes

Oatmeal, Cream of Wheat

Any baby food

xx

Our hope is that we have 100% participation in some form by all students, faculty, staff and administrators.

Weigh Your Food We welcome you to weigh your food and report your amount to the Food Drive Committee.

Turkey/Pie Money – The Food Drive Committee needs $7 from each student to cover the cost of the turkeys and pumpkin pies. Please put the Turkey/Pie Money in Barry Barfield’s mailbox. Each 1^st period will receive an envelope for Turkey/Pie Money to make it easy to get Turkey/Pie Money back to Barry Barfield’s mailbox.

Extra Money – If your 1^st period collects more than is needed for the turkeys/pies, you may (a) use the extra to buy food (milk, eggs, produce, etc.) for your families and/or b) turn it in to support Gonzaga Family Haven Partnership. You are welcome to have up to $200 of your extra collection credited as 200 lbs. in your food weight total. 

Checks made out to Gonzaga Prep must go to the Treasurer’s Food Drive account. If you turn in “extra” money (cash or checks) and want to use it to buy food for your families, 1^st period teachers must front the money to buy groceries and get reimbursed ONLY after bringing a receipt for those purchases

Participation Form – Period 1 teachers are responsible for securing a parent/guardian signed Participation Form for every student in the class. The form is attached and on the Food Drive website. 

Drivers – 1st Period teachers are responsible for arranging drivers to deliver food. (Some anonymous deliveries will be arranged by Mr. Barfield.) For safety we encourage students to ride with usual carpools or family and wear masks. Some families will pick up their food and those will be noted. We have a volunteer opportunity on the Prep website asking for parent/guardian drivers. We will let you know if a parent from your 1st period volunteers. 

Solicitation Letter – Some businesses and individuals want a letter on Gonzaga Prep letterhead for program authentication or tax purposes which is located on the Prep web page, under Faith & Service, Thanksgiving Food Drive. 

Sharing  If one homeroom does not have enough food, ask another for help. If one homeroom has more than enough food, share or give to the Second Harvest Food Bank truck in the Perry lot..

Go Set the World on Fire!!!