Students at St. Gabriel School in Mentor pitched in to help others during Catholic Schools Week 2020. Their focus on service landed them an opportunity to team up with Cleveland Indians fan favorites Carlos Carrasco and Logan Allen at the Greater Cleveland Food Bank.
As the pitchers stepped inside the Food Bank packing area, students didn’t waste a minute introducing themselves and explaining they had been tasked to assist with the Backpacks for Kids program. Together they would assemble six meals for each of the “packs” that would go home with students at nearby schools over the weekend.
While forming an assembly line, Allen, who returned to Cleveland after spending the off season in Florida, chatted with students about how they’ve spent time outside during the mild winter and about what they like best at St. Gabriel School.
In less than an hour, Carrasco, Allen and the students had packed four pallets of weekend meals including one pallet that was an emergency request from a local agency.
After hearing what the group had achieved, Allen told the students; “When you go to bed tonight, know that you did something good today in only one hour of your time. Remember what that feels like.”
St. Gabriel School has taken its commitment to serving others up a notch this year at all grade levels.
“Our school community is focused on modeling the corporal works of mercy and how we should treat others. The last hour of every Friday is spent in time of service. As we embrace all that Catholic Schools Week stands for, it was essential that we started our week with a service project and built upon that through the end of the week,” said Ann Ulrich, St. Gabriel principal.
Monday of Catholic Schools Week, each grade level focused on feeding the hungry.
“Students built themed food boxes to help families create meals. We kept it relatable and exciting. The kindergarten students built birthday boxes, filled with items to make a cake and included frosting and candles,” said Ulrich.
Midweek, Megan Ganser, a St. Gabriel alumna and Cleveland Indians coordinator of player engagement and family relations, visited the school to speak on the importance of service in a professional career.
“St. Gabriel taught me how to work hard, respect others and that faith can keep you grounded during any of life’s highs and lows,” said Ganser. “It has been amazing to share with the students how the Indians organization places respect and service to the community as a top priority. I hope today’s event encourages them to grow that in their life,” she added.
Allen and Carrasco spent time answering questions from the students after packing food. Carrasco reflected on growing up and how his family depended on the help of others in times of need. He said the response of others helped him achieve his goals, both big and small, which is why it’s important to him to give back, especially to youth throughout Northeast Ohio, and where he is from -- Venezuela and the Dominican Republic.
“What we did today will make the families who receive these meals happy,” said Carrasco.
When asked how their faith helped them through their teenage years and growing up, Allen replied, “Church is my happy place. It keeps you rooted. Nothing is better than being happy in church on Sunday.”