By Paula Brewer
Special to the Aroostook Republican
The spirit of giving was in full force recently at Caribou High School as several carloads of food were collected, sorted and then delivered to the Bread of Life Soup Kitchen to provide holiday meals for those in need.
Members of the National Honor Society spearheaded the effort during their holiday food drive, turning the event into a contest to see which homeroom could gather the most items. Activity began about three weeks ago, according to NHS committee members. Ernie Caron of the CHS custodial staff collected photocopier paper boxes, which were decorated with bows by students on the committee. A box with instructions was then delivered to each homeroom at the school, and friendly competition ensued.
At the end of the drive, students and staff had collected over $2,000 in food items, and honor society members got together to sort it all out. The group, along with chapter adviser Kenneth W. Atcheson II, delivered their donation to the Caribou soup kitchen on Collins Street. Receiving the gift was Jay Bellomo, manager and head chef at the facility.
Bellomo was very pleased with all the food, and said everything will go toward Christmas dinner and other meals for those who are in need. “It means a lot to us, because it will help us keep people warm and give them some nice, hot food,” he said.
In addition to the food, NHS members presented Bellomo with a cash donation totaling $34 that the kitchen will use to add to its pantry.
The Bread of Life Soup Kitchen, located in the former Odd Fellows Hall, serves a hot meal daily for anyone who would like to partake.
The Caribou NHS sponsors the food drive annually. Alyssa St. Peter and Mackenzie Deveau served as this year’s committee chairpersons. Other officers are Samantha Camy, chapter president; Shyanne Barnes, vice president; Delaney Williams, recording secretary; Keith Draper, corresponding secretary; and executive committee member Clara Collins.
