Middle School Students, Staff in San Ramon to Fill 300 Baskets of Food For Local Families in Need

On Thursday, November 20, in just 20 minutes Los Cerros Middle School students, staff and community members will fill 300 laundry baskets to the brim with holiday fixings such as canned and boxed food items, fresh produce, kitchen supplies and gift cards for local families in need. To make these baskets even more special, the school’s culinary students baked hundreds of loaves of pumpkin bread and art students created handmade Thanksgiving cards for each basket. Parents will deliver the baskets to county shelters the following day on November 21.

This marks the 20th year of the Basket Brigade. Over the years, thousands of families have had a brighter holiday season.

“Each year our students have the honor of helping others in our county through the Basket Brigade outreach program,” said Los Cerros Principal Phyllis Roach. “The lessons students learn about altruism, empathy, and compassion cannot be confined to a classroom but instead are integral to their participation in the world at large. The enthusiasm of our entire community translates to a joyful, engaging event for all and we’re thrilled to celebrate our 20th anniversary of touching the lives of others.”

Items collected for the baskets:

· Canned corn

· Canned green beans

· Canned fruit cocktail

· Canned turkey gravy

· Cranberry sauce

· Chicken broth

· Boxed stuffing mix

· Cornbread mix

· Boxed Jell-O mix

· $10 Safeway gift cards

The project is made possible through the collaboration with the school’s Parent Teacher Association (PTA). The supplies and gift cards are donated by families and and/or purchased from monetary donations made at the beginning of the year specifically for the Basket Brigade.

Who: Middle school students, staff and parents

What: 300 Thanksgiving baskets stuffed in 20 minutes by the Basket Brigade

When: Thursday, November 20

2:25 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.

Where: Los Cerros Middle School

968 Blemer Road

Danville, CA 94526

Information submitted by San Ramon Valley Unified School District

Photo via Shutterstock.