'Caring and Sharing' Unites Berkley School District Community

Volunteers on Friday afternoon at Berkley High School packed boxes of food to be distributed Saturday to more than 200 families and 50 senior citizens in the Berkley School District as part of the "Caring and Sharing" holiday food drive.

The annual event was the culmination of collections held throughout the season at all of the district's schools, as well as at the Huntington Woods Recreation Center and Public Library, said Parent Teacher Association member Sue McAlpine, who spearheaded the project.

"We do it because we think it's important to help the community and we hope our students understand the importance of helping their friends," she said.

On Friday, members of the BHS Student Leadership group and football team, along with adult volunteers, unloaded donations, sorted food and packed boxes.

"It was really fun to see the kids get into it," BHS teacher and Student Leadership adviser Lauren Dixon said. "It's fun to be here and see it all in action."

Each family will receive two boxes that will contain breakfast items, peanut butter, jelly, a bag of potatoes, fruit, a loaf of bread, spaghetti sauce and noodles, a turkey, and a variety of other food, McApline said.

She said that last year Caring and Sharing fed approximately 250 families and this year that number is closer to 200.

"I hope that means things are turning around and people are doing better and not that they don't want to take the help," McAlpine said. "You never know when you'll be in need."