The Thunderbird JROTC Battalion recently began its sixth annual holiday food drive. The goal this year is to feed 50 needy Mt. Tahoma families through the food drive that runs through Friday, Dec. 19.
Last year, the JROTC cadets collected 4,510 non-perishable food items and assembled them into 41 food baskets for delivery. Each recipient family received at least four boxes of non-perishable food as well as a turkey, a gallon of milk and two bags of perishable items. This drive is a valuable leadership and service experience for the cadets, as it is entirely planned and conducted by the cadets.
The main focus of the food drive is to get donations of non-perishable (canned and packaged) items from Mt. Tahoma students and staff. These can be dropped off at first-period classes. Mt. Tahoma staff members also generously donate the perishables (fresh vegetables and fruit, milk/dairy products and bread/rolls) to help round out the baskets.
To reach the goal of 50 food baskets, Mt. Tahoma will need assistance from the general public to supplement the efforts of the cadets. Help is needed with frozen turkeys/hams and canned or packaged products. Additionally, the cadets would welcome perishables if they can be dropped off on the morning of the last day of the drive on Dec. 19.
Please contact the Mt. Tahoma JROTC instructors Ron Baynes at 253.571.3654 or Galen House at 253.571.3655 if you are able to support the drive by donating food items. This is an especially difficult year for many families due to the current state of the economy. Any assistance that can be provided will certainly help brighten the lives of those in need during this holiday season.