FROM STAFF REPORTS

Thompson Middle School and Thompson High School students recently helped to stock local organizations with food for the holiday season. Thompson Middle School students donated more than 630 items to the Food Ministry at the First Baptist Church of Alabaster.

The annual TMS Holiday Food Drive was sponsored by the Future Business Leaders of America student organization, which wanted to make a positive impact on the community.

Students donated items into boxes supporting the college team of their choice. Students were motivated because many families in the area would not have holiday meals if not for the donations of others.

“The fact that families will be able to eat this holiday season really brought out the best in us,” said Conner Bass, TMS FBLA chapter president.

A major focus for FBLA this year has been to develop leadership skills. About 15 members of the group served on the Food Drive Committee headed by Chairperson Alexis Berger. They worked to publicize the project and encouraged everyone to make donations to help local families this holiday season.

“The most significant outcome of this service project is that our students recognized the importance of giving back to our community and to those who are less fortunate,” said TMS Principal Melissa Youngblood.

The Thompson High School Family, Career and Community Leaders of America students and teachers Debbie Penhale and Janice Gill organized a canned food drive to donate to SafeHouse of Shelby County. FCCLA members contacted other student organizations and solicited their help to meet the goal of collecting 1,768 canned goods, or one can per student.

The students far exceeded that goal by collecting 2,134 canned goods, which were donated to SafeHouse during a special assembly. The students were rewarded for their efforts by having a chance to throw pies into the faces of THS Principal Robin Thomas and the other high school administrators.