Students Aim to Reach Hungry With Thanksgiving Dinner

Turkey and all the trimmings will be offered when Murrieta Mesa High School hosts its third annual "Share the Harvest" Thanksgiving Dinner from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.

Last year, 1,100 were served, and this year, the goal is to serve 1,600, organizers said. The free event is being organized by members of the school's Interact Club, a youth group affiliated with the Rotary Club of Murrieta, and is open to everyone in the community.

"The outreach is designed to help those in the community who are economically challenged but anyone is welcome,” said Mike Stowe, a math teacher who is organizing the dinner, in a news release.

A traditional Thanksgiving dinner will be served with turkey and stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, cranberry sauce and pies for dessert.

Along with the dinner there will be activities booths, jump houses and crafts available for children, said Karen Parris, spokesperson for the Murrieta Valley Unified School District, in a news release.

Entertainment will be provided by the Murrieta Mesa jazz band, choir and other campus ensembles, Parris said.

The students aim to give away 150 Thanksgiving dinners for families to take home, according to Stowe, as well as provide local food pantries and organizations serving the homeless with turkeys and nonperishable food items.

For those who wish to support the cause, cash donations are being accepted and can be made out to “Share the Harvest.”

Additionally, the school is accepting donations of frozen turkeys and nonperishable food items. Any collected items that are not used will be donated to local food pantries, Parris said.

For information, or to donate to the food drive, contact at 951-677-0658 or Mike Stowe at 951-677-0568, ext. 6303 or mstowe@murrieta.k12.ca.us.

Murrieta Mesa High School is located at 24801 Monroe Ave., Murrieta.