As Thanksgiving arrives, so does Beaver Area JROTC’s annual Thanksgiving food drive as the Bobcat battalion does what it can to help struggling area families.

Since Thanksgiving is early this year, the JROTC program began collecting food as early as possible—November 1—to obtain as many donations as they could. Each first-period class was contacted by junior Abby Kohrmann—who was in charge, along with junior C.J. Oravitz assisting—to see if the classes could donate non-perishable goods.

However, the donated items don’t have to only be canned goods, as Kohrmann added,

“We ask that all donations be non-perishable canned or boxed food. Monetary donations are also accepted with all money going straight to buying more non-perishable foods.”

All this food is donated to local families—most from the high school—to give them a meal for the holidays. This year, there are 13 families that food is being donated to, which is slightly higher than the 8-10 families that are, on average, donated to.

But more families means more donations needed.

The minimum amount of food donated averaged around 2,000 contributions, so having the first-period classes donate helps the drive a great deal.

The JROTC also contacted area businesses and churches for additional donations; however, because of some companies’ internal rules governing charitable giving, most were unable contribute.

Beaver Area students shared varying thoughts, but all had a common trait of a positive outlook towards the food drive.

Junior Olivia Rabak had lighthearted thoughts, saying, “I think the food drive is a great opportunity to give families in need what we love the most.”

“I’m happy I’m doing the food drive because it is such a good cause, and [the donations] can make the holidays a little more special for many families,” junior Asia Frantz said, thrilled at the opportunity to donate.

The drive ran until November 19 when JROTC cadets gathered all of the food from the donating classrooms to the JROTC room, with last minute donations trickling in as they counted through the day.

But don’t worry if you missed the deadline and still have food (or money) that can be donated to make others’ holidays better! There are various community locations in where you can donate such as the Salvation Army Food Bank, the Women’s Center of Beaver County (there is a wishlist), and many others.