Bird Feeder adviser Sophia Ross smiles as she recounts the success of the food shelf’s annual Thanksgiving food drive. She said students struggling with hunger can have a full table for the holidays.

“All in all, the food drive was a success,” Ross said. “It’s so important for students to understand that even if they have food at their house, a lot of people do not.”

According to Ross, the Bird Feeder received nearly 1500 food items in total, including 14 turkeys and one ham. She said over 10 third hour classes participated, including the counseling department which brought in around 200 items.

Senior Bird Feeder manager Mackenzie Evenson said the Bird Feeder succeeded in their goal to provide food for Thanksgiving.

“The food drive went really well and we collected a lot of food,” Evenson said. “Thanksgiving is giving thanks and such, so it was really helpful that everyone was able to contribute even if it was a small donation. It still helped in the end.”

Ross said they decided to have two winners, one in a class with over 20 students and the other in a class with 19 or fewer students. This year, she said English teacher Rosalyn Korst’s third hour class won the first category by bringing in over 600 items.

Junior Meili Liss participated in the food drive in Korst’s class. She said she brought in cans she had at home because she wanted to help her teacher and other families.

“Everybody in class was pretty pumped about it because we wanted to win,” Liss said. “I think it’s also really important to give the food that you can, because some families aren’t able to easily buy things like turkey or soup.”

Ross said the second category win went to special education teacher Christine Tvrdik’s third hour students, who brought in over 300 items.

Evenson said she thinks they could improve the drive by advertising earlier so students could prepare and have more time to collect items.

“It could have gone better by advertising a little sooner so people knew the gist a little sooner,” Evenson said.

Liss said everyone should donate food when possible in order to support other students who may not be able to celebrate Thanksgiving.

“It’s good to donate when you can, so you can help other families have a good holiday that should be celebrated,” Liss said.

Students looking to receive food from the Bird Feeder can fill out the anonymous food request form on the counter in the counseling office or speak to Ross in room B226.