Service Projects

Preschool - The preschool class collects, delivers, and stock peanut butter and jelly on the shelves of Serra’s Food Pantry throughout the year. Service to others is one of the foundations of Christ’s teachings and our Catholic Faith. Young children learn about our faith by both seeing and doing. We selected peanut butter and jelly because these are relevant to young children. We will provide toothbrushes and toothpaste in February in observance of National Dental Month.

From their modest beginning more than 20 years ago serving just a few parish families from a small church office Serra’s Food Pantry now provides more than 520 families each month with food and hygiene items. Food is distributed to the needy from donations made by area merchants through their “grocery rescue” service. They also receive generous food donations from are churches, businesses, schools, social clubs, youth groups and through many caring individuals who contribute non-perishable food and cash gifts. Additionally as a registered nonprofit food agency they receive food through United States Department of Agriculture programs administered by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul’s Second Harvest Regional Food Bank.

By contributing peanut butter and jelly on a regular basis, we can help the needy children within our own community. We have already contributed over 50 jars of peanut butter and jelly to Serra’s Pantry this year.

Preschool - Pajama Drive 

Kindergarten – Kindergarteners will experience the gift of giving during the Christmas season.  They will discuss the importance of helping others less fortunate than us and will collect baby items to celebrate the birth of Jesus.  The baby items will be donated to Birth Choice for families in need.

1st - For the past 10 years Mission Basilica First Grade students have been collecting pop top pull tabs for the Ronald McDonald House. During this time, MBS First Graders, both past and present, continue to collect these little tabs which are recycled by the Ronald McDonald House. MBS First Grade is able to donate approximately 30 pounds of tabs each year. The money earned—100-percent of it—goes to off-set the costs of running the Orange County Ronald McDonald House in Orange, California.

2nd - This Christmas Second Grade collected used books and donated them to Serra’s Pantry. The children also made blankets to give to Cancer patients, and baked cookies for the Elderly.

3rd - The Gift of Hospitality  -  Our 3rd Grade & Mission Basilica Community Outreach worked together in partnership to reach out to our Church, elderly and homebound Communities in San Juan Capistrano.

After morning Mass on Thursday December 11th, our 3rd Graders greeted our Parish Faith Community with Christmas song and hosted cookies, coffee & juice. They reached out to our homebound brothers & sisters by sending a Basket of Christmas Cards especially made by 3rd graders & wrapped cookies to share.
The Service Project is a learning opportunity for our children to focus in a small way the “Gift of Giving” through hospitality. We hope by our Service Project, we will allow our children to embrace Brotherly Love…
Because you never know…you might be entertaining Angels…

4th - In light of 9-11, 4th grade wrote letters to service members and decorated “patriot pillowcases.” We discussed patriotism and acts of bravery. We talked about the strength of our country through a very difficult time. This was our way of thanking those who keep us safe. Father Robert also blessed the pillow cases before they were sent to a wounded warrior golf clinic at Camp Pendleton.

5th - Serra’s Pantry – The fifth grade class hand crafted Christmas cards and decorations including snowflakes, red and green chains and posters for the Christmas party at Serra’s Pantry in the month of December.

6th - Second Harvest Food Bank – crop gleaning to capture surplus produce from farmers’ fields to feed hungry people throughout Orange County.  Students will have a hands-on impact on feeding the needy of our community.  They will help with planting, picking, and gleaning dozens of crops.  These crops go back to the food bank and are distributed to feeding programs across Orange County.  In previous years, the students planted and harvested enough crops to provide the equivalent of 12,000 meals.

7th - RH Dana ENF Program – Seventh grade students are privileged to volunteer for the RH Dana Exceptional Needs Facility.  RH Dana ENF serves special needs children from birth through fifth grade.  In December, MBS seventh graders spread Christmas cheer at the facility with carols, books and a visit from Santa.  In the spring, seventh graders help plan and run a “retreat day” for their new friends.  They sing songs, create fun art projects, and play with parachutes, hoops, balls, and bubbles together with the ENF kids.

8th - Second Harvest Food Bank – crop gleaning to capture surplus produce from farmers’ fields to feed hungry people throughout Orange County.  Students will have a hands-on impact on feeding the needy of our community.  They will help with planting, picking, and gleaning dozens of crops.  These crops go back to the food bank and are distributed to feeding programs across Orange County.  In previous years, the students planted and harvested enough crops to provide the equivalent of 12,000 meals.