Pioneer Charter School of Science II in Saugus prepared annual Thanksgiving feast for area first responders

For the eleventh consecutive year, Pioneer Charter School of Science II (PCSS II) in Saugus organized a food drive to benefit local first responders. Each year, around Thanksgiving, PCSS II provides a feast for the Saugus police officers and firefighters to express gratitude for their support and service.

“This is the eleventh year we have organized this food drive to support our community heroes,” said PCSS II Social Studies Chair Robert O’Leary. “We take pride in our students and their families’ commitment to the first responders who keep us safe. It’s a fantastic event, and you can see how excited the students are to be part of this cause.”

Students, families and faculty come together to provide holiday meals with the support of the PCSS II Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO). This tradition began in 2013 at the school’s inception, and it has become an essential part of the PCSS II culture of giving back to the community. Families can sign up to donate prepared food items or make monetary contributions through an online portal. Food donations are cooked, ready to eat and collected at the school on the 27th. After collection, school administrators and students deliver the meals to first responders.

“We aim to provide Saugus Police and Fire with a warm meal for the holidays while they’re away from their loved ones,” said O’Leary. “It is an excellent way for the school community to think of others during the holidays and a way for the school to thank them for their hard work.”

Using monetary donations, to ensure a well-rounded meal for police and fire, the PTO purchases any requested food items that haven’t been donated. The PTO accepts monetary donations for those unable to provide a food donation. Any leftover funds will be given to families in need at PCSS II through grocery store gift cards. In 2023, $500 in Market Basket gift cards were donated to families in need at the school.