As we are heading into the holiday season, it is important to remember to help those who struggle with food insecurity. To address this issue in our local community, The Shipley School organizes a yearly Turkey Drive that takes place in November.

Ms. Margie Winters, the Service Learning Coordinator and head of the Service Committee, addressed what we do to give back: “Each year at Thanksgiving, the Shipley community generously provides 275 Thanksgiving meals to families throughout the Philadelphia area. Each basket includes a delicious turkey, fresh vegetables, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and many additional items to assist families on Thanksgiving Day and beyond.” This year we hope to assist 325 families in the area.

Director of Service Learning Ms. Winters organizes the Turkey Drive. “We spend the first part of November raising funds for the Turkey Drive and then put everything together on Tuesday, November 22nd when we will assemble the baskets and deliver them.” The drive is an important event. “...it comes from Shipley’s commitment to Compassionate Participation in the World. This part of our mission challenges us to recognize the needs of the world and respond to them. At all times of the year, people are challenged by food insecurity. The Turkey Drive is our way of making a concrete response.”

The assembled baskets are given to different organizations, such as The Breathing Room, Mercy Neighborhood Ministries (Germantown & Tioga), People’s Emergency Center, Fanny Jackson Coppin (formerly The Andrew Jackson School), Overbrook Educational Center. Ardmore Food Pantry is also being added as a partner organization and forty $25 gift cards will be given to them to use for their Thanksgiving efforts. These organizations work with those who struggle with food insecurity or those who suffer from cancer.

What can you do? Ms. Winters said, “In the Upper School, students can participate by donating through their homeroom. We’re having a Thanksgiving Homeroom Contest to see which homerooms raise the most money. Donations of $50 buy a turkey for a family and donations of $100 provide an entire meal to a family.” Students can also donate by check, writing “Thanksgiving Donation” in the memo, or donating online. Any level of support is greatly appreciated!

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