Beloved Joaquin Moraga (JM) teacher Brett Lorrie founded the club 10,000 Lunches with the dream to provide that quantity of lunches for the homeless.
Kim Anderson, mother of former club president, Cale Anderson, and current club co-president, senior Declan Anderson, is one of the founders for the non-profit organization along with Matt Vattuone and Lorie. The club, 10,000 Lunches, was brought to Campo by former students and presidents of the club, Cale Anderson and Cole Hickey. Students then passed down the reins to the club to current seniors Declan Anderson, Cooper Chang, and Owen Ludwig. The Anderson family is very connected to the club and are integral to the community.
Chang speaks about why he does this club: “I’ve gone [to the club] a couple of times, and I see a lot of the same people, and it feels really good to help them out.” Ludwig also feels a sense of fulfillment: “It makes me feel good knowing that I’m helping other people’s lives.” The club also offers volunteer service hours, but the members recommend doing it for the community.
The club has lasted at JM for many years. All three presidents attended JMIS and participated in Lorie’s club which was held every Friday. Declan Anderson mentions, “I started in sixth grade, and I don’t think I missed a single one, so I’ve been doing it ever since.”
“We make lunches. We just stand there and put peanut butter and jelly on sandwiches and slap them together. It’s pretty easy,” Ludwig says. They encourage students to participate and join them to make lunches as Chang says, “you’re kind of doing an essential service.” Not only does the club make sandwiches, they deliver the lunches to the Oakland and Berkeley area to homeless people in need of food.
The presidents of 10,000 Lunches love to participate in making sandwiches and enjoy heading this club with their peers. They welcome new members or anyone willing to help out. Declan Anderson says, “It’s really nice to see that people are willing to give up their lunch to help make some lunches for people in need.”
Students and teachers can meet every other Friday during lunch outside Lyenne Denny’s room, F5, near the library. Students and teachers are welcome to join the club in making sandwiches.
