Cristo Rey, Feeding America food distribution; 1,000+ boxes

MILWAUKEE - Volunteers at Cristo Rey Jesuit High School on Milwaukee's south side distributed more than 1,000 boxes of food for the holidays on Saturday, Dec. 14.

Cristo Rey president Andrew Stith said the effort, now in its third year, collected an estimated 22 tons of food with help from Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin.

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"We decided to do this program because it's who we are as a school," he said. "We not only educate our students, but we seek to teach them to give back to their communities, be leaders in their communities. And in addition to teaching that, we want to walk that walk."

The boxes included items like peanut butter, rice, beans, potatoes and cereal. A $20 gift card to El Rey Foods was included, too.

"We know groceries are more expensive these days, and if this is a way that we can ease the burden on a family, we're happy to serve the community," said Stith.

Boxes were available to anyone in the community on a first come, first served basis. Phoenix Investors and the Crivello Family Foundation also helped with distribution.