The Lower School classes decorate their bins with seasonal décor and useful items such as blankets, tablecloths, and centerpieces, as well as handmade artwork and cards for the recipients.    Photo courtesy of HTEA.

On Nov. 26, Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy (HTEA), Melbourne, held its biggest outreach of the year: the Thanksgiving Ingathering and Basket Blessing. The event took place at both campuses during chapel.​

For 29 years, HTEA has conducted this outreach of food and supplies to provide families in need around the Space Coast with a plentiful Thanksgiving meal. Students, parents, faculty/staff, trustees and selected clubs, honor societies and organizations donate from a predetermined list of items. ​The Lower School has coordinated with the Whittaker-Harrison family to benefit members of Triumph the Church and Kingdom of God in Christ. Members of the family attended the Nov. 26 chapel service to pay tribute to Phyllis Whittaker, who coordinated the project with Holy Trinity for the past decade and passed away last year. The Upper School’s efforts benefited families in the Booker T. Washington neighborhood.​

The Lower School, together with the Early Childhood classes, created baskets for 27 local families in need. The Upper School collected 35 bins.​

The Rev. Jared Jones, chaplain at the Upper School, blesses the baskets at the chapel service on Nov. 26. Photo courtesy of HTEA.

Each family received enough supplies to create a Thanksgiving meal and provide meals for the coming weeks as well. Donated items included a 35-gallon plastic bin containing a turkey or ham, fresh fruits and vegetables, and ingredients to make traditional Thanksgiving dishes along with a $25 grocery gift card. Families also received staples such as flour, sugar, peanut butter and jelly, paper products and more. 

Baskets were blessed in chapel services at both campuses and presented by the students. As each basket was presented at the altar, a description was read about the family receiving it, for example, “This basket will go to a single mother of four children, ages 14, 10, 8 and 2. There are also two grandparents living in the home.”

At the Upper School, the National Honor Society and its adviser, Mrs. Arlene Sutherland, led the Thanksgiving outreach effort. At the Lower School, parent volunteers in conjunction with their chaplain, Garcia Barnswell-Schmidt, took charge.