More than 50 Van Buren County high school students have been able to help Southwest Michigan families have a happy Thanksgiving with a food drive and distribution event held on Saturday.
Van Buren Tech marketing specialist Mikenzie Chambers tells us this was the first ever Van Buren Tech Thanksgiving Food Drive, held by DECA students studying business, management, and administration. They were able to fill and distribute 110 complete Thanksgiving meal baskets.
“So our DECA students had boxes and drop-off sites at our partnering school districts, as well as here at Van Buren Tech, and then also were reaching out to businesses and community members that also gave donations and food items too,” Chambers said.
Chambers says the baskets contained a turkey, veggies, pies, and drinks. Collected food items were placed in the baskets, and then the students used donated dollars to pick up additional items for the baskets.
Jason, a junior at Lawton High School, told us it was a eye-opening experience to work with families.
“Being part of something that directly helped them really opened my eyes as a person, and seeing all the boxes lined up and knowing how each one of them was going to go into a real family who made the work feel important and made me feel appreciative of what I have,” Jason said.
Jason says it was overwhelming and surreal — in the best way.
Students led every aspect of the project, selecting the food items, shopping for additional groceries, and filling each meal box. They also organized the distribution. Jason says he hopes they do it again next year.
