By JESSICA BURNS

Every year, the Dowagiac Union Schools’ choir program gives back to the community in various service activities.

In November, both Dowagiac Middle School and Dowagiac Union High School choir students conducted a food drive to give needy families in Dowagiac a Thanksgiving dinner. Students brought nonperishable food items to Jeff Robinson, the choir director.

“The choir program has been doing this for four years,” said the Fine Arts Booster Club President Carol Novak.

After the collection period was over, all the food was sent to the First United Methodist Church. Students dedicated an entire day to sorting the items and putting like foods with each other. Once the task was done, there were tables full of vegetables, soups, bread, cake mixes and snacks.

On packing day, students took boxes around to the different tables and put a certain amount of food in it. Frozen turkeys were also brought in on packing day to ensure they were fresh for the families to cook.

After everyone had the required amount of food, extra goods were given out to supply the families with about a week’s worth of meals. Once all the boxes were packed, choir students loaded the meals into their cars and delivered them to the families.

This year’s food drive was the choir’s most successful.

“We gave a whole Thanksgiving dinner including turkeys, stuffing, and dressing, to 13 families,” Novak said.

There was so much food donated that the extra was packed away to help other families in the years to come.