Courtesy photos.
SANTA MARIA — Thanksgiving came early for Delta High School students and staff.
The “Delta Thanksgiving Feast” and activities was held Nov. 22 at the Orcutt campus. About 340 students and 30 staff were expected to get stuffed.
“Delta is one large family and we want to provide our students with a Thanksgiving meal in a family atmosphere by providing everything from turkey to pumpkin pie with whipped cream,’’ said principal Sal Reynoso.
The idea for the gathering came from teacher Catherine Carpenter. Before joining Delta, she worked at a school where some of the staff members would pick a couple of families that were struggling financially, and they would deliver them a Thanksgiving dinner.
“However, at Delta, it’s very difficult to select a couple of students and families because the need is so great,’’ Reynoso said. So, she thought it would be great to have a Thanksgiving Feast to share with all the students and staff. Once she presented the idea, all the staff pitched in to help make it possible by getting donations, helping to come up with activities, donating items, making decorations and setting up the tables and games.
“We had an unbelievable response from the Salvation Army, Element Church, United Way, The American Legion, Sons of the American Legion, and many other individuals from the community who have donated money, decorations, food, prizes, and labor,’’ Reynoso added. “The Salvation Army took on the huge task of preparing, cooking and delivering the meal to us at Delta, and Element Church provided all the dessert, bread and many other items to make the feast special.”