Holiday cheer is in the air. You can feel the excitement, hear the laughter, see spirits rise and smell the Evergreen trees. As the holidays quickly approach, students are eager to be done with school. The winter holidays are almost perfect: hot chocolate, sledding, Christmas trees, bright lights, sleeping in and everyone’s favorite, Christmas dinner! Holidays are the best with all the delectable and seasonal treats we get to eat that we do not normally have. Mouthwatering foods such as candy canes, fudge, peppermint mochas, sugar cookies, pumpkin pie and so much more are just a few of the things we all look forward to having. Not to forget the delicious Christmas dinner too.

In some families, it is just expected that food will be set on the table each night for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Each night when they get home from school, there is no concern or questioning that food will be there. For many, the holidays are a beautiful time of year. A time of rest, connection with loved ones, and celebration. That doesn’t mean it’s all mistletoe and cheer, for some the holidays are the toughest time of the year. Many families struggle to earn enough income to support the whole family with each of their needs and when the holidays come around, it really brings out these hard emotions. Feelings of guilt, sadness, distress and disappointment are very common. It is very important that we reach out to those who don’t have as much as we do and help them to enjoy the holidays as much as possible, not having to worry about what will be on the table for dinner that night.

From December 4 to December 14, GP is having a canned food drive at school to support those in our community would need a little extra help this holiday. You can bring in canned goods or money to support this cause. It does not take a lot to help; each dollar can buy four cans! Put this into perspective, if you give up your morning Starbucks and use those five dollars instead to go toward the food drive, that is twenty cans donated! That is enough for one entire Christmas dinner. If we all work together we can assure that each person in our community has a Christmas dinner on the table to enjoy.

It is crucial that we take this opportunity to help make a positive difference and help change a life. One can of food can go a long way. One can of food can make someone`s holiday magical and bright. We all deserve to feel special and enjoy ourselves during the holidays.