It’s that time of the year in California when we’ve begun to wear two layers under our clothing. Christmas lights are hung up, Mariah Carey has defrosted, and festive cheers ripple throughout our state capital. In Sacramento lies a small yet mighty high school filled with festive spirit and holiday celebration. We’re preparing for our annual winter rally. Students throughout all of the classes are encouraged to participate in rally decs, chants, and activities. But there’s that one grand incentive that no class can afford to pass up: cans.
For the three years I’ve attended West Campus, we’ve always held an annual canned food drive for the local women and children’s shelter. But as for myself—and, I assume, many other students—we focus on one thing: rally points. It’s a hard opportunity to miss; I mean, ten points per thousandth can means a whole lot when classes have lost by much smaller amounts. This type of class rivalry sparks a sense of pride, this sense of camaraderie that cannot be replaced. It’s not hard to argue that this zealous drive to win imaginary points blinds us from the true impact that these cans make.
Bishop Gallegos Maternity Home on 47th Ave—that is our true incentive. Not a pizza party, not a passed-around trophy, not twenty-five rally points; just a maternity home. We are the number-one providers for this South Sacramento home for pregnant women, struggling mothers, and children alike. This supply—these cans, these boxes of food—feeds the people in our community for a year to come. A year. This is why we do it.
No matter the reason you decide to bring a spare can from your cupboard or buy sugar bags in bulk for this food drive, you make an impact. No one is more thankful for these cans than the thousands of stomachs you help keep full or the workers who witness a child having their first proper meal in a while.
One year, this supply needs to last for one entire year. In fact, the supply from last year has run low which is why now—more than ever—people need to donate. Get your last donation in before the window closes. Everyone deserves the basic human right of a full stomach from your donation. Everyone deserves to see the simple smile from our students at West Campus dropping off their yearly supply. So, while you’re smiling and laughing with your friends at this winter rally, keep in mind the people you have helped, and stop seeing how many cans earn how many points. While you have enough energy to chant and scream at the top of your lungs, think about the children who have enough energy to run and play because of that pasta box you put in your class’s collection.
This little school in Sacramento, which has been getting ready for its winter rally, still has one goal it can’t miss out on: cans.
