LOWELL – Lowell Catholic has held a “March Madness” Food Drive every spring. This year, at the request of freshman Whitney Stella, the school decided to take on a Thanksgiving Food Drive as well.

Kristin Nelson, director of Campus Ministry, said it’s not uncommon for students to approach her with ideas for helping the community and surrounding areas.

The Lowell Catholic Thanksgiving Food Drive, which ran Nov. 9-16, collected more than 1,300 cans of food and nonperishables. Students in grades 7-12 took part in the drive, hoping their homeroom would earn a casual day for acquiring the most cans.

Lowell Catholic was able to follow CDC guidelines while distributing food to the Merrimack Valley Food Bank, All Saints Parish in Haverhill and Sacred Heart of Bradford, Whitney’s elementary school.