Standard School District, North Rotary Team Up for Thanksgiving Food Basket Giveaway

Local families in need are getting all the staples they need for a Thanksgiving feast thanks to the Standard School District and Bakersfield North Rotary. On Monday morning, more than a hundred volunteers packed up 350 food boxes in Standard Middle School’s multi-purpose room to distribute to families who might not otherwise have Thanksgiving dinner.

This is the 23rd year that Bakersfield North Rotary has raised money for its Thanksgiving Basket Project. Standard School District in Oildale worked with local families to identify those most in need, and they received priority for food basket distribution.

Patricia Keefer, community service director for Bakersfield North Rotary, said the need is great in Bakersfield, especially with rising costs and inflation. 

“It’s a lot harder to buy groceries this time of year, and we’ve been blessed to be able to provide this program … we’ve been able to step up and just make sure that families are able to gather together and enjoy a Thanksgiving meal,” she said.

Most of the funds were raised through individual donations by members of North Bakersfield Rotary and through corporate sponsorships from companies like Chevron and Supervisor Jeff Flores’ office.

Standard School District Superintendent Jocelyn Hively said a lot of volunteers came out from across the Kern High School District to help with the distribution, in addition to Standard School District employees and volunteers from Chevron.

“I just want to thank the many volunteers who make this come to life every year for the families, she said. “They make such a big difference.”

Patrick Hoffman, President of North Bakersfield Rotary said he was happy with the number of volunteers this year, and he loves seeing the smiles on people’s faces.

“You can see the families lining up getting this meal, just seeing the gratitude on their faces,” he said. 

Any extra funds Rotary raises for the project will go to Church Without Walls to help families year-round. Church Without Walls is a group that feeds the homeless and hungry in the Oildale area.