This Thanksgiving season, our Central High School District once again showed what it means to lead with heart. Our Community Cupboard, which supports nearly 100 local families, was uplifted by an incredible districtwide effort to create Thanksgiving baskets filled with care, compassion, and community spirit. 

From all our CHSD schools, clubs and teams across the district, to our elementary component districts, everyone played a part. We are grateful to our local Kiwanis and Lions Clubs, churches, as well as the Boy Scout and Girl Scout chapters, for helping make this initiative a true community effort. 

Special Thanks To… 

• Kennedy’s Art Club & Martin Avenue’s Class of 2026 for decorating the brown paper bags that held our donations. 
• Mepham’s LEO Club for baking delicious pies to sweeten the holiday.
• Kennedy HS Student Government for hosting a grassroots food drive outside of King Kullen and shopping for additional items. 
• The Calhoun Cluboard for organizing donation drive at the school, dubbed Clash of the Classes. In addition to volunteering month at the Cupboard, the Cluboard also partnered with the Merrick Community Nursery School and St. Demetrois Orthodox Church to further extend the drive’s reach 
• Birch School’s SADD Club for dozens of baskets full of donations 

• And thank you to our hardworking students from PREP, CHOICE at MAP, and Calhoun’s Community Connection for gathering on Nov. 20 to sort donations and package the Thanksgiving baskets with care. 
   

Behind the Scenes Heroes 

A heartfelt shoutout to those who keep the Community Cupboard running year-round: 

• Karin McMahon, MAP teacher & Mepham coach 

• Dady Belfort & Anthony Mitchell, Security 

• Josephine Parlagreco, Mepham retiree  

• Eric Arlin, Executive Director at Brookside 

• Mara Bolletieri, former deputy superintendent and founder of the Community Cupboard 

• Maintenance staff members for transporting donations  

Your dedication makes all the difference. Thank you to every student, staff member, family, and community partner who helped us support our neighbors this holiday season. Contribution is Key: Every Mark We Make Matters.