NORWICH – For a second straight year, the Norwich High School Cheerleaders will be collecting non-perishable food items for donation to Catholic Charities’ Roots and Wings program at all home basketball games throughout the month of December as part of the squad’s 2012 Holiday Food Drive.

According to NHS Cheerleadering coach Marie DeSarro, the drive is simply one more way to get her squad involved in the community.

“Teaching our cheerleaders that there are people right here in our own backyard who may not have a big meal on their table every night is important,” noted DeSarro. “Not to mention how important it is to make sure that our neighbors aren’t going hungry. Sometimes it seems like our younger generations think everything in life should be handed to them and I want these girls to understand that life isn’t always easy.”

Donations will be accepted at tonight’s Tom Schwan Tournament, and during home games at NHS to be held Dec. 6, Dec. 11, Dec. 14 and 15, Dec. 19 and Dec. 21, added DeSarro. Suggested food items include canned meats such as tuna fish, canned fruits and vegetables, peanut butter, boxed potatoes or rice, hot and cold cereals and canned tomato products, among other non-perishable goods.

“Anything we can do to help others and make their lives a little better is a good thing,” said DeSarro, who noted the hundreds of families across the county that rely on Roots and Wings every month. “I think it’s so important for the school to get involved as much as possible with community organizations like Roots and Wings, and one never knows if the organization they are helping might be helping them one day. Considering the economy at this time, more and more families are in need of extra support in many areas of their lives. Roots and Wings provides people with meals, helping them and their families to stay healthy and nourished.”