Since the likelihood of anyone being on campus Wednesday is slim-to-none, we’d like to send everyone off to an elongated Thanksgiving weekend a few days early.

(For those poor souls whose professors didn’t cancel class the day before the turkey feast, The State Press will be waiting for you on the newsstands on Wednesday, too).

Along with Turkey Day comes the chance to remember what we’re thankful for.

For one, we’re thankful that we have a few days of rest and respite at a stressful time of the semester. Taking time off from a hectic work/school/social schedule to stop and smell the stuffing is necessary for students and staff, especially as we prepare for final projects and tests.

As much as we will enjoy the weekend (when we’re not trying to catch up on homework), we’re (kind of) glad we have school to come back to. No, we’re not crazy, but with the cost and value of education on the up and up, we’re grateful that we get to go to school — even though it sometimes feels like we just have to.

And though for many people watching football is a Thanksgiving tradition, we have to say we are actually happy to see the tail end of the sport for this season. This season for the Sun Devils has just been a bit too painful, but UA’s Saturday loss has been somewhat of a healing balm — the Wildcats are still the only Pac-10 team that hasn’t made it to the Rose Bowl.

The “what we’re thankful for” list goes on (turkey and pumpkin pie included), and though it may sound trite, there is nothing cliché about appreciating what we have.

With much of the country mired in fiscal uncertainty, now is the best time to remember what we’re grateful for and also what we can give.

For the millions of Americans who were desperately struggling prior to the recession, the recession has not only meant fewer opportunities but less charitable giving.

A startling 14.6 percent of Americans in 2008 had low food security, meaning their food intake was reduced as a result of being unable to afford or guarantee a stable food supply.

That’s a lot of hungry people for the richest country in the world.

Surely there are a number of students who will be going home to a slightly barer table this year, and there will be students whose families feel little impact from the soured economy.

Charity is often a belabored point, but until every person is fed, it’s a point that needs to be constantly readdressed.

Finding some way to give is not hard, and it’s not the burden it often seems. The Valley is full of charities seeking financial and volunteer support, and frankly, you’ll get a lot more out of it than you give.

Sites like Tempe Community Action Agency list volunteer opportunities, houses of worship have active programs — even dropping spare change into Salvation Army buckets makes use of money that probably would end up on the floor of your car. Food banks like St. Mary’s are in desperate need of canned goods. You don’t even have to leave campus to donate. Just use up your meal plan at an on-campus vendor and drop the donations into the waiting bins.

The opportunities to make someone’s life a little brighter abound, and chances are it will mean a lot to you, too.

We can’t change the whole world by ourselves, but as long as we have something, we have something to give. And that is a lot to be thankful for.