2 Schools Help Feed the Needy

Over the years, the students at St. Mel School in Woodland Hills have shown their generosity to needy families during the holiday season.

And this year is no exception.

However, the Catholic school’s annual “Adopt-A-Family” Thanksgiving food drive took on a different look when St. Mel’s auditorium was transformed into a mini-supermarket stocked with hundreds of food items donated by the students’ families in this week’s two-day event.

Eighteen classes, from kindergarten to eighth grade, were asked to shop for their adopted families living throughout Southern California, including the Valley.

“The faculty and staff decided that it would be more meaningful for the children to select the food items for the 18 families that they are representing,” Vice Principal Patty Hager said.

Hager, who coordinates the program, asked each class to fill two large boxes with what they thought makes up a traditional Thanksgiving meal. Surplus food was donated to Catholic Charities’ Loaves and Fishes program in Van Nuys to provide meals for the homeless.

“I think this is cool because we get to shop for food instead of packing it in the classroom,” Sam White, 13, a seventh-grade student, said. “It’s fun--like going to the market.”

Through the program, turkeys and other frozen and refrigerated items were donated to the adopted families by supermarkets throughout Los Angeles and the Valley. The food packages were delivered to the families Thursday.

“St. Mel students will experience the joy of giving along with the knowledge that they have helped families in need,” said Sister Monica Quigley, the principal. “We would hope to continue this program for years to come.”

Another Valley school that has done its part to help the needy during the holidays is Los Encinos School.

Students of the Encino elementary school this week made and delivered turkey sandwiches and apple pies at the L.A. Family Housing Corporation’s Valley Shelter for the homeless.

The students served lunches Wednesday at the shelter at 7843 Lankershim Blvd. in North Hollywood.