Every year before Thanksgiving, you can find over 1,000 Santa Fe Christian students from grades kindergarten to high school seniors, in hair nets scooping red lentils into bags. It’s a two-day annual event called “Give Thanks Give Back” where students and parents come together to package nutritious meals for kids in Ecuador experiencing food insecurity. 

SFC partners with Kids Around the World to accomplish this. By the end of the day, SFC ships over 200,000 meals to a country in need. This year the meals are going to Ecuador.

“As a parent volunteer, it was incredibly rewarding to witness the children’s enthusiasm and heartfelt humility as they packed food for peers who face challenges far greater than their own,” said Catherine Cinquegrani. “Seeing their compassion and eagerness to make a difference was truly inspiring and a reminder of the power of giving back.”

In connection with this event, in the spring, SFC high schoolers have the opportunity to participate in a ministry trip where they travel to one of the many sites that receive this food distribution. This year students will travel to the community of Cañitas, Ecuador as a part of SFC’s Global Ministries and Community Partnerships program.  

“Our Global Ministry & Community Partnership program was thoughtfully designed with two key objectives: to mentor students in spiritual formation and to cultivate empathy through cross-cultural connections,” said Janelle Ruge, Director of Student Activities. 

On this trip students’ main project is to build a playground for the children of Cañitas in partnership with the local church. Beyond construction, students have the chance to engage in cross-cultural exchanges, share stories, and forge deep connections with the Ecuadorian people we are helping to support.

“Our hope is that students return home from these transformative experiences with broadened perspectives, strengthened relationships with their peers, and a deeper connection to their faith.”

Give Thanks Give Back continues to be an event students and parents look forward to, helping them be a part of something much bigger than themselves as we prepare for the holiday season. 

“Last year’s mission trip to Peru made so many impacts on my life and my perspective,” said SFC junior, Alanna Rubey. “One that will always stick out to me is when I got to hand a OneMeal package to a little girl and see how Give Thanks, Give Back truly impacts her life. This moment made the packaging of food that I have done for 11 years come to life and I was able to see the real influence that Give Thanks, Give Back has.”

Read it here in the San Diego Union-Tribune.