It might be winter, but it’s also the giving season for Blue Jays.

Several organizations made time to promote giving back to the community for the holidays, whether it was donating blood, cans of food or time to help someone.

Members of the National Honor Society (NHS) on November 22 went to Oak Grove Church in Detroit to pack approximately 200 boxes of food for the less fortunate. Each box contained nonperishable items such as canned milk, cake mix, canned corn and stuffing mix. On top of the canned and boxed items, the boxes contained fresh fruit and vegetables for a family meal.

“It was different but not difficult,” said junior Turquoise Clark, who added that it was nice to give back to the community.

NHS students also volunteered at St. Alexander’s Church in Farmington.

NHS volunteer Tiffany Harris, a junior, said she enjoyed volunteering at the church despite the cold weather. “It felt good knowing that I was helping someone who needed my help. It was my gift to them during the holidays.”

The adults who picked up food packages had to register prior to the date of the giveaway to keep a box registered for them. In addition to the pre-packaged boxes of food, they were also offered a sack of potatoes, a package of frozen sausages, and a choice of coffee, tea or hot cocoa.

The NHS volunteers carried the packed boxes of food to the cars of the people in need.

Southfield Student Council (SSC) also helped to give back by asking Blue Jays to donate canned goods. The class with the most cans was American History teacher Jamie Glinz. His seventh hour class collectively earned a pizza party sponsored by SSC. Shortly behind was English teacher Diane Hofsess. School-wide, SSC collected approximately 1,000 cans for Southfield High’s own students in need.

SSC also hosted its biannual blood drive. A total of 37 students and staff members donated blood, yielding 40 pints. (Some gave a little more than a pint, said Courtney Birberick, president of SSC.) Each pint given can help save the lives of three people, according to American Red Cross statistics.

Another SHS organization is preparing to help support its fellow Blue Jays. Scholars Plus is planning to show a new-release movie during the last two hours of school and ask student to donate $5 to watch it. The movie date was not determined at press time.