Fraser students collect food for those in need

FRASER — At least 75 families in Macomb County had a much happier Thanksgiving thanks to the students in the Fraser Public Schools district.

The students in the student council and the National Junior Honor Society gathered at Richards Middle School on Nov. 17 to package the collected goods and give it to the Clintondale Kiwanis Club which will distribute the parcels.

“They’re doing food baskets to feed 75 local families in Fraser and Clinton Township. It was collected from all of the schools in the Fraser school district,” said Tracy Schuch, a Clintondale Kiwanis volunteer. “We’ve coordinated with the district for many years on food collections.”

The food drive is a long-standing tradition in the district that has helped hundreds of families over the years.

“This (food drive) has been going on for more than 10 years,” said Monica Orlando, National Junior Honor Society advisor at Richards Middle School. “We collected thousands of canned goods and boxed goods along with potatoes and salads and fresh goods purchased from the Farmer’s Market in Clinton Township. The Fraser community is strong, and I think this shows it.”

“It’s going to assist families in Fraser schools and Clintondale schools. We get the names from the social workers at the schools,” said Karen Mildner, a Kiwanis volunteer. “The funds to buy The Farmer’s Market goods came from the Kiwanis Club’s fundraising efforts.”

The food was collected at all eight Fraser schools.

“The food was collected in all of our schools in the district,” said Orlando. “We have six elementary schools, so we get most of the food from them, but the middle school collects food, too, and the high school is providing food in its own food pantry. It was delivered (Nov. 18).”

Orlando said that the students who helped with the collection were amazing and are always doing what they can to help out.

“These students are National Junior Honor Society members, which consists of 75 students this year,” she said. “Our student council consists of about 40 students. Together, they provide so much service to this community. They work in our elementary schools, in the middle school, in the community. When we add up all of their hours at the end of the year, they’ve earned almost 2,000 hours of community service. They hold high academic standards as well. They are leaders in our schools and leaders in our community.”

Eighth grader Paityn Gallo, the NJHS president at Richards Middle School, said she was happy she got a chance to help.

“We, as NJHS and student council, have service opportunities around the community,” said Gallo. “Wherever we can help, we try to. We do a lot at the elementary schools. We did a lot at the high school and do stuff like the food drive.”

She said the students have worked very hard.

“All the students here are great. Everyone helps as much as they can and participates. Whenever we get together to do something like this, it always turns out great. The turnout was great, and it went fantastic today. I’m really proud of all of our students.”

Those who organized the food drive noted that the need for food was even greater this year.

“We’re finding more need in the community. Gleaner’s (Food Pantry) drops by in our parking lot every few weeks to give out food,” said Orlando. “Now our breakfasts and lunch are free again, which was something that stopped during the pandemic, but now the state has started it up again because they saw the need was still there.”

“There was a great need this year,” added Mildner. “Families were really in need compared to previous years.”

Schuch said the collection should make a big difference to numerous families.

“We’re really thankful to the kids here,” she said. “They worked really hard, and the student council and Honor Society are amazing. There’s more than 75 kids here volunteering to ensure this gets done for others.

“Thanks also to the families who donated all of the food,” Schuch said.