Putting the ‘give’ back into Thanksgiving

Submitted photo: Lancaster Independent School District Police Department delivered meals starting last Monday – Thursday. Shown are Demontre Morgan of Silverback Records, Superintendent Michael McFarland and Chief Keith Wilkerson handing a turkey to one o

Sonya Cole-Hamilton    

Special to The Ellis County Press

LANCASTER – One hundred Lancaster families can rest easier knowing their Thanksgiving grocery shopping is complete. 

No standing in long lines that wrap around the store, no fighting shoppers over the biggest turkey and no going to multiple stores trying to piece together what some may say is the most important family meal of the year—and it’s all because of teamwork.

The Lancaster Independent School District Police Department continued its food drive for the fourth year in a row and accomplished its mission—to feed 100 families. Together with their sponsor, Silverback Records, LISD PD collected enough food to provide a complete meal with all of the trimmings. 

Immediately following the anti-bullying campaign in October, the department shifted its focus to their annual food drive. Each campus in the district collected can goods along with other non-perishables. The department also received private donations from Lancaster citizens.

“We started in 2008 and 2009 with 30 families. In 2010, it was 50 families. Now, we’re at 100,” said  LISD Chief Keith Wilkerson.

“So we are making a difference and impacting families each year.”

Giving back, specifically to the Lancaster community, is important to the LISD PD. The police department utilized multiple resources to select the families for the food drive. They spoke with school counselors, teachers and accepted community recommendations.

“Growing up in a small rural town, we were very poor. It feels good to give back,”said  LISD Officer Michael Lee.

“I feel blessed to be in the position to be able to give back. I’ve been without before so I always try to give back.”

While the need to provide meals for families grows, thankfully, so has this food drive.