In the spirit of Thanksgiving, the Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) and student council are holding a feast for students at lunch in the Bat Cave on Nov. 17 to raise funds and food for the Ecumenical Hunger Project (EHP) and the PAUSD Hurricane Katrina relief.

For $4 or 3 items on the EHP wishlist (see list below) and $1, a student can purchase a ticket in the SAC for a full plate of turkey or vegetarian lasagna, in addition to stuffing, gravy, cranberry sauce, bread rolls with butter and fresh crisp tossed salad trimmed with pears and cranberries. Dessert includes a variety of fresh baked pie with whipped cream. Juice and water cost $1.

The food is made and served by parent volunteers and staff, who spend months planning in advance and countless hours preparing and serving food. Preparation includes calling restaurants and making shopping runs at Costco and Smart & Final.

“The day of the event is unbelievable,” event chairperson Mary Ellen Bena said. “About 60 volunteers gather together at 8 a.m. in the teacher’s lounge to carve 40 turkeys, slice 100 pies, make salads and prepare to face 1000 hungry students who only have 40 minutes to devour this Thanksgiving meal.”

The student council and PTSA hope to raise more food and money this year than last year. “Last year, the Gunn community raised $1200 and filled four barrels with items that were requested by the Ecumenical Hunger Program,” Bena said. “We hope we can raise as much as last year if not more.”

To volunteer for this event, contact Peggy Esber at peggyesber@aol.com.

EHP Wishlist

• Roasted Chickens (whole)
• Roast Beef
• Hams (half size)
• Sugar
• Honey
• Jam/Jelly
• Dinner Rolls
• Yams/Sweet Potatoes
• Pies
• Celery
• Canned Milk
• Fresh Fruit
• Cranberry Sauce
• Canned Fruit (e.g. pineapple, peaches)
• Gift Certificates for local stores such as Safeway, Albertson’s, WalMart