Student are returning to home with full bellies today after Palo Alto High School’s 12th annual Turkey Trot, a feast in honor of Thanksgiving, took place at lunch on the Quad.

The feast costs either five dollars in cash or two dollars plus three cans of non-perishable foods. According to Anderson and the Ecumenical Hunger Program website, the money and cans raised by the Turkey Trot are donated to the EHP in East Palo Alto, a non-profit organization who’s mission is “to sustain our neighbors through immediate crises and to help them regain stability and independence”.

According to Paly parent and event organizer Melissa Anderson, this year’s Turkey Trot will offered more options for students with dietary restrictions. The feast will provided options for vegetarians and gluten-free students, such as baked potatoes and vegetarian stuffing, along with gluten free pies, stuffing and gravy.

Anderson, who has been organizing the Turkey Trot for seven years, finds the event to be her favorite Paly tradition.

“I love seeing all the kids come out,” Anderson said. “They all come out in mass. If you pick your head up at about noon, it’s like ‘Oh my goodness! I hope we have enough food’, and then there’s always seconds, everyone gets fed.”

“At the end of this, we give five big barrels of canned goods to [The] Ecumenical Hunger [Program],” Anderson said. “I come over with anywhere from $2,000 to $4,000, and that helps their food and gift drive for their clients. We’re a really major part of their offerings for their families.”

Below is the breakdown of this years Turkey Trot feast statistics.