“The annual Thanksgiving dinner at Foster Road is one of the highlights of the year,” said Superintendent Dr. Ruth Pérez. “It’s important for us to show our students

About 500 children, parents and community members attended Foster Road Elementary School’s annual Thanksgiving feast, a free event held to thank the members of the community for supporting the school.

that giving back is not only important in everyday life, but that it is rewarding to do so.”

Now, the event has grown to include the local Kiwanis and Rotary clubs; Calvary Chapel and Living Faith Church as co-hosts; and food is donated by Polly’s Pies. Maddox said the dinner is a purely community-funded event.

This year, several other groups were available to offer families information about their services. Among those hosting information tables were Covered California, Wal-Mart, Farmers Insurance and Esperanza, a service organization that focuses on children and family mental health services, including in-home mentoring, anger management and family mediation.

“Thanksgiving is time to celebrate not only friends and family, but our neighbors and community,” said Board President Ed Hengler. “It warms my heart every year to see the school community come together, share a meal and become closer.”