Archbishop Carroll High School in Washington, D.C., continued its decades-long Thanksgiving tradition by hosting its annual Thanksgiving Food Drive and distribution on Nov. 26, 2024. This event served about 300 families in need this year. This impactful initiative, led by the school community in collaboration with long-time partner Billy Cleary of Cleary-Cantwell who supplies the boxes used to distribute the meals, made a tangible difference in the lives of local families.
The effort brought together a dedicated team of volunteers, including the 345 members of the school’s student body, along with parents, teachers, faculty and approximately 100 alumni. These volunteers collected, packed and distributed food donations to local families facing food insecurity. Archbishop Carroll High School is sponsored by The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington.
“This distribution not only helps families outside of the school, but also members of our own student body without making it a big deal,” said senior Monique Clarke, who lives in Southeast Washington. For Clarke, the drive embodies the values of respect and care that Archbishop Carroll instills in its students.
Clarke shared that her favorite Thanksgiving dish is her aunt’s stuffing, and she looks forward to the tradition of sharing a warm meal with her loved ones.
More than a meal: Building a culture of service
Since 1976, Archbishop Carroll High School has hosted the Thanksgiving Food Drive as part of its commitment to serving the community. Leading up to the food drive, Archbishop Carroll graduates, students and volunteers delivered bags and fliers throughout neighborhoods, asking for donations to support the initiative. These efforts strengthen community ties and highlight the power of collaboration in addressing food insecurity.
Senior Dylann Corley, who commutes more than an hour daily from Clinton, Maryland, said the commute is worth it for the sense of belonging she feels at Archbishop Carroll. “The culture here is so much more positive than in public schools,” Corley said. “Students and staff feel like one big family.”
Corley, who plans to attend nursing school after graduation, said the food drive aligns with her values. “It’s important to give back,” she said. Her favorite Thanksgiving dish is pernil, a flavorful roasted pork dish popular in Puerto Rican cuisine.
Families received all the elements of a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, including turkeys, alongside a month’s supply of pantry staples like canned vegetables, rice, flour, cooking oil, beans and boxed potatoes. Any leftover food was donated to the Shrine of the Sacred Heart Food Pantry in Northwest Washington and the St. Francis de Sales Food Pantry in Northeast Washington, extending the drive’s reach to those in need.
Faith in action
At Archbishop Carroll High School, students are not only taught about Catholic social justice, but they are also empowered to live it. Events like the Thanksgiving Food Drive provide a tangible demonstration of how service, gratitude and community spirit are woven into the fabric of the school’s identity, and how they shape the students’ understanding of social justice.
As the school celebrates the success of this year’s food drive, it also reaffirms its commitment to supporting families and building connections throughout the community.
