Food Drive kicks off

By: Zuhayr Alam

The annual food drive among schools in the Cedar Valley has always been a way to show the community how much students care about the people who are less fortunate, and this year is no different.

The food drive also rouses a large competitive nature among local schools. Last year, the Tigers fell short of their 25,000 pound goal set at the beginning of the food drive but still won the food drive. All of the schools in the Cedar Valley came together to raise over 16 tons of food for less fortunate people in the area.

This year’s food drive began on Sept. 29 with an event where the Tigers won $100 to go towards the school’s total. It was the Hunger Action Challenge trivia contest, which many schools from the Cedar Valley attended.

The contest itself covered topics that could be found on the Northeast Iowa Food Bank’s website. Cedar Falls High School was represented in the trivia by junior Michael Flanscha and senior Savannah Lipinski.

Flascha enjoyed the experience. “It’s great to see all of the schools in the area come together to fight hunger,” Flanscha said. “We were excited to win $100 for our school.”

Counselor Erin Gardner said that the food drive helps everyone in the community.

“There are many people in our community who take food for granted and many who go hungry on a daily basis,” Gardner said. “The food drive is an easy way to give back. Cans of food are cheap, and it’s easy to bring them to the high school.”

Flanscha said he feels the same way.

“Students should participate in the food drive because it is a great way to fight hunger and make a difference in our community,” Flanscha said.

In addition to many events lined up to raise donations, fifth period classes will be competing to bring in the most donations. The winning class will earn a pizza party.

Both junior highs, Hansen and North Cedar are also contributing to the drive.