The Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) felt compelled to serve families in need this year for Thanksgiving.

  The canned food drive will run until Wed., Nov. 15, and students are encouraged to bring as many cans as they like to their English teachers.

  “Our officers are getting things organized and putting the boxes in English teachers’ classrooms,” Kristi Mayes, FCA director, said. “Some teachers will give extra credit [or] homework passes for the class who brings the most cans.”

    The cans will go to the families in the school and community who may not be able to provide Thanksgiving dinner for their families.

  “The officers and myself will deliver the items on the week of Thanksgiving,” Mayes said.

  FCA decided to do this event in lieu of their normal angel tree as a way to further serve the community.

  “Last year we did some great service projects, but we found that after Fields of Faith ended, it was hard to find something to put our energy into,” FCA President Chase Wakefield said. “We thought, ‘What are some other needs at the high school that we can fill?’ and decided this was a very good cause.”

  Wakefield has worked primarily on setting up the project, but has overall enjoyed the process.

  “As of right now, my favorite part is having all of our FCA officers and the student body come together [to support this cause],” he said. “I think the greatest part will be when it’s all over and we deliver the items, though.”

  To anyone interested in joining FCA and the service projects they will do in the future, Wakefield says to simply “come as you are.”

  “It’s a very welcoming program,” he said. “There’s definitely a place for you, and we can always use your help in future missions.”