WOODS CROSS — Students and community members of Woods Cross High School have served a Thanksgiving dinner for the homeless in the area for more than 10 years, and this is only their first project for the season.

Last Thursday, more than 150 homeless shelter residents were the guests of Woods Cross High School. Students donated their time and talents at cooking and serving to the people and families who came.

“It was a good night all around, for parents, students and our guests,” said Woods Cross High School assistant principal, Jed Johansen.

On Thursday evening, three school buses were sent to the Roadhouse and family homeless shelters in Salt Lake City to pick up people and bring them to the high school. Each club at Woods Cross then sponsored a table or two, giving gifts and serving food. For many of the people who came, it was the only Thanksgiving dinner they will get.

“We have about a dozen or more clubs participate in this,” said Johansen.

Clubs gathered gifts together ranging from necessities like soap to wants like stuffed animals. Each gift basket had a variety of items depending on the family receiving the basket. Students donated money and shopping time to get these baskets ready for the night.

“Then we have our band and music groups provide entertainment while people eat,” said Johansen.

The Woods Cross High School jazz band and choir perform throughout the evening. Parents and Woods Cross cooks also donated time cooking and cleaning. “A lot of our cooks are there to help with the equipment in the kitchen,” said Johansen.

After the Thanksgiving break, students will come back and begin their next service project. A Christmas tree is set up in front of the main office with ornaments featuring children and their needs. Woods Cross students will sponsor a child for $75 and buy toys and necessities for them.

Woods Cross hosts the Neighborhood Houses, providing shirts, coats, toothbrushes and new shoes for underprivileged children. Clubs and advisories will also sponsor children together, wrapping gifts for individual children.

For the first time, Woods Cross High School students have also written a letter to a soldier serving our country. Soldiers were thanked for their sacrifice, and students gave voice to their own support and hope.

Woods Cross High School has hosted families from the Roadhouse and Neighborhood Houses for more than 10 years.

sroberts@davisclipper.com