You gather around the table with your family. You smell the warm aromatic smell of rosemary coming from the bubbling turkey. A sweet smell flows from the vibrant red cranberry sauce, and buttery, fluffy mash potatoes are crowded in a small bowl. For many people, this seems like the perfect Thanksgiving, but for others, this is a mere fantasy.
Many people live without a stable source of food to eat. To give back to those in need, the Associated Student Body’s (ASB) Do Something commission puts on a canned food drive every year.
The Do Something commission puts on several service events throughout the year, such as the blood drive, which all have different goals. Specifically, their goal for the canned food drive is to get as many students as possible to bring canned foods to their second period class. The commission then donates the food to Second Harvest Food Bank to be distributed to those who need it.
The canned food drive creates a way for Carlmont students to give back to their community. According to Ryan Irwin, a commissioner of the Do Something commission, this drive significantly affects the Carlmont community, as many of the cans go to Carlmont families since Carlmont is in the San Mateo Community.
The Do Something commission believes that this drive is an excellent way to not only help those in need but reach out to the parts of the student body that otherwise wouldn’t participate in school activities.
“People in general that don’t participate in mainstream school spirit activities can get involved, and it allows them to see how other people are facing issues,” said Sahana Srinivasan, a junior and Do Something commissioner.
Many teachers also get involved with this drive and many others. One example is chemistry teacher Felix Gandara-Guzman, who actively encourages his students to participate. Guzman believes that it’s important to participate, as while some students are very fortunate, many are not.
“I think the canned food drive is important because we have a chance to help those in need, and it creates social conscious. We have a chance to jump in right now,” Guzman said.
However, teachers aren’t the only ones who see the canned food drive as necessary. Many students, such as Nicole Klein, a junior, see the drive as something significant as well.
“I would encourage other people to participate because there are families out there that are less fortunate than you that need food and sometimes go without food,” Klein said.
With Thanksgiving coming closer, the canned food drive can provide Thanksgiving meals to many who usually wouldn’t receive one.
The drive started on Nov. 4 and will go until Nov. 20.
