Thanksgiving Fruit Basket
Level 5 Service Project
This activity reaches out to shut-ins; the ill; or lonely people in the parish, in the students’
families, or among their friends. The object of the activity is to have students look in their
neighborhoods and families to see how they can help spread some cheer. The students
select the basket recipients, bring the materials to class, assemble the baskets during
class, and deliver them after class.
Reflection
At Thanksgiving we reflect on the good things that God has given us. The sacraments are
signs of the real presence of God’s gifts in our lives. This activity especially helps explain
the Eucharist (the Greek word for thanksgiving).
Details
Week I
1. Before students arrive, divide the class into groups.
2. Explain the project to the class.
3. Tell students that the person whom they select to receive the basket must be
someone to whom they will be able to deliver the basket after next week’s class
(no grandmothers wintering in Florida).
4. Students break into groups and discuss whom they are going to make the fruit
baskets for and why.
5. Each group decides who is going to receive the basket. (Note. Teacher must call
the parent of the student who is delivering the basket to get his or her approval.)
6. Each person volunteers and signs up to bring the fruit to the next week’s class
(see worksheet).
Week II
1. Students assemble baskets in class. PREP Office will provide the supplies. We
have a basket and cello wrap.
2. Each group makes and signs a card to go with the basket. Card-making supplies
(i.e., copy or construction paper) are available in the PREP office.
3. The student and a parent will deliver the basket as soon as possible after the class.
Level 5 Thanksgiving Fruit Basket Service Project
1. Name of person: ________________________
2. How do you know this person? __________________
3. Why did you select this person?
_______________________________________________________
4. Name of person who will be delivering the fruit
________________________________________
5. Write the names of who will be responsible for:
Two under-ripe bananas __________________
Two apples ____________________________
Two oranges ___________________________
Two grapefruits ________________________
Two pears _____________________________
One bunch of grapes _____________________
St. Joseph Parish Religious Education Program
340 Manor Avenue
Downingtown, PA 19335
610-873-8798
[email protected]
Dear Mom or Dad or Guardian:
As a Thanksgiving service project, the level five classes are making
fruit baskets to spread cheer to people in our community. Today in class, we
broke into small groups, and each group decided to whom the baskets would
be delivered. Next week in class, we will assemble these baskets. Each
member of the group is responsible for bringing a different kind of fruit. I
am responsible for bringing to class next week the fruit circled below:
Two under-ripe bananas
Two apples
Two oranges
Two grapefruits
Two pears
One bunch of grapes
Some of these baskets will not be delivered right away, so we need to
be sure to bring fruit that will stay fresh for several days. I will be more
than happy to earn money to pay for this fruit by cheerfully doing extra
chores around the house!
Thanks!