Thanks to the conscientious students and staff of John F. Kennedy Intermediate School, needy families in the district will enjoy a full Thanksgiving dinner as a result of the school’s annual holiday food drive.

“JFK sponsors the food drive each year in an effort to make the Thanksgiving holiday a special and memorable time for all our students,” explained school social worker Carol Miller-Douglas. “Our goal is to acquire all of the traditional trimmings to put together wonderful Thanksgiving baskets.”

Each class at JFK is responsible for collecting a specific nonperishable item or canned good. This year, the students collected more than 18 milk crates full of donated food items, supplemented by a donation from the local Girl Scout troop. The baskets were then organized by Miller-Douglas and three of JFK’s teaching assistants, Kathy Layden, Anna Marino and Suzanne Wright. “They always stay after school and help put the baskets together for the families each year,” said Miller-Douglas. “Without them, I would not be able to do my job so well.” The finished baskets full of Thanksgiving cheer were donated to 10 JFK families in need.