Blue Jays Provide Thanksgiving Meals to 460 Families in New Orleans Area

Posted November 26, 2014 / Last updated December 2, 2014

Freshmen Paul James, Al Philips, Chris Morel, Bryce Rodriguez, Collin Miller, Jonathan Arnold, and John Nuttli pack a Thanksgiving box. (Click the image to view the Baskets and Deliveries Photo Gallery.)

Living their motto of “Men For Others,” students (and alumni) at Jesuit High School distributed Thanksgiving food boxes to approximately 460 needy families throughout New Orleans on Wednesday, Nov. 26. Through the Thanksgiving Drive, and other service occasions, Blue Jays learn to be men of faith and men for others.

The day began at 5:30 a.m. at Robért Fresh Market where students and faculty met to purchase the perishable goods needed to complete the baskets already begun with non-perishable food collected over the last month.

Basket Preparation and Delivery

After shopping, students then returned to campus and worked with their homeroom classmates to prepare the baskets for delivery. Each homeroom prepared three or more baskets for delivery. Several clubs, athletic teams, and organizations also got together to prepare additional baskets. Alumni, led by the Class of 1983, also assist by providing one turkey for each basket. Many alumni and their families, with the help of the Alumni Association, came to campus Tuesday night to help pack boxes for needy families throughout the metro area.

At 8 a.m., the school community gathered in the Chapel of the North American Martyrs for a Thanksgiving prayer service. Senior Evan Duhon and Mr. Julio Minsal-Ruiz, S.J. each spoke about the greater meaning of Thanksgiving to the group of students, faculty, staff, parents, and alumni gathered in the chapel.

Afterward, the crowd left the chapel and took off in all directions across the city to deliver more than 400 baskets to the homes of those who would not otherwise enjoy a Thanksgiving meal.

The annual Thanksgiving Drive has been conducted by the students of Jesuit since 1927, and possibly earlier, when the Sodality placed boxes in each classroom for the collection of food items for the city’s poor.

The drive it is organized and executed by the students under the guidance of Kevin Murphy ’00, director of the school’s Service Projects Program.

Thanksgiving Day Mass

The entire Jesuit community is invited to celebrate Mass Thanksgiving Day at 10 a.m. in the Chapel of the North American Martyrs.

Thanksgiving Drive Photo Galleries

Thanksgiving Drive Grocery Shopping

Thanksgiving Drive Baskets and Delivery

Alumni Thanksgiving Drive

Videos

2014 Thanksgiving Drive (Faculty Speaker)

Mr. Julio Minsal-Ruiz, S.J. addresses Blue Jays

2014 Thanksgiving Drive (Student Speaker)

Senior Evan Duhon addresses Blue Jays

Galleries

Thanksgiving Drive, Grocery Shopping, Nov. 26, 2014

Juniors take a break: clockwise from lower left: Chase Rushing, Blaine Corvers, Thomas Hellmers, Dillon Fuchs, Joe Favret, J.T. Odell, and Jonathan Niehaus.
Jesuit alumni director Mat Grau '68 is interviewed about the Thanksgiving drive by Fox 8's Carolyn Scofield. Behind the camera is Bernel Davis. Fox 8 did live shots.at Robért Fresh Market and Jesuit High School throughout the early morning newscast.
Freshmen Jonathan Arnold, Peter Carr, and Robert Christman are all smiles realizing they have enough money to pay for their groceries.
Seniors Courtlin Dede, Jake Young, and Alex Rodrigue wait to check out at Robért Fresh Market.
Mr. Daniel Fitzpatrick with two of his juniors, Steven Sellers and Anton Derbes.
Juniors Andrew Nguyen, Chris Johnson, Paul Gelpi, and Connor Maheu have a boatload of groceries for the baskets they will be delivering.
Seniors Osman Torres, Alex Galy, Nick Reilly, and Mason Page prepare to head back to Jesuit with their groceries.
Seniors Chuck Jackson, Michael Wingerter, Ryan Roberts, and Patrick Dickerson wait patiently at the checkout register.
Happy birthday, Francis! With senior classmate Sam Johnson at his side, Francis Plough raises his hand to thank those Blue Jay shoppers who sang "Happy 18th Birthday" to him.
Mr. Tim McCaffery shows the freshmen in his homeroom how to make groceries on a budget.
Blue Jays in the checkout lanes keep the workers at Robért busy.
Every year, Robért Fresh Market on Robert E. Lee Boulevard opens at 5 a.m. for Blue Jays, who are fed gratis and given a discount at checkout.
Seniors Garrett Tobin and Michael Belanger
Freshmen in Mr. Gino Giambelluca's homeroom are just starting to shop.
Mrs. Leslie Merritt with the youngest of her four Blue Jays, freshman Jordan Merritt.
This quintet of pre-freshmen - Cael Meilleur, Ben Haase, Matthew Moore, Stephen Zazulak, and Owen Hite - are ready to experience their first Thanksgiving Drive with their teacher, Mr. Jason LaLonde, S.J.
Juniors Kenneth Krizan, Mark Piglia, Stephen Owers, Blaine Corvers, and Ross Barrilleaux use two carts to load with groceries.
Mr. Larry Dagate, Mr. Kyle White, and senior Peyton Markey review their grocery lists.
A sea of Blue Jays prepare to buy groceries at Robért Fresh Market for the families who will be receiving Thanksgiving baskets this year.
Pre-freshman Peter James and freshmen Christian Lacoste and Andrew Kuebel have an upright breakfast.
Junior Noah Billeaud-Lehotsky likes what he sees for breakfast.
Juniors Myles Kuss, Francesco Pineda, Jacob Niehaus, Andrew Nguyen, and Jonathan Niehaus know the "Get in line" drill.