Dozens of Lake Worth High School seniors spent their Thanksgiving Day – not with their families – but on the streets of Palm Beach and Broward Counties feeding people in need. It’s a unique twist on a senior tradition, paying it forward and inspiring underclassmen.
“We are a low-income school,” said Yoselin Chicas, Lake Worth High School senior. “There’s a lot of homeless kids that go to our school and it’s just something that can really help out my school.”
In all, 56 seniors spent Thanksgiving pounding the pavement by foot and by vehicle to ensure 5,000 meals were delivered. It’s a personal mission for the school club Food Finders, an organization affiliated with Palm Beach Harvest that also runs the school’s food pantry.
“We have drop offs of fresh fruit, vegetables, sandwiches and prepared meals every Monday,” said Rachel Bailey, Lake Worth High School senior and club president.
For the third year, students delivered meals before dawn to people in Lake Worth Beach, Delray Beach, Boca Raton and as far south as Broward County. A visit to a John Prince Park homeless camp caught the attention of the public.
“It starts with the parent,” said Tracy Bailey, Lake Worth High School assistant principal. “So, if the student or child doesn’t see that the parent is active, then what have you shown them?”
In all, approximately 200 Lake Worth High School students earned community service hours feeding families on Thanksgiving Day. The school’s Student Government Association also participated.
Click here to learn more about the school’s food pantry.