School District 308 Food Drive Offers Community the Chance to Combat Local Hunger

Oswego, Ill. (Sept. 25, 2015) — More than 7,000 area residents in need visit the Kendall County Food Pantry every month, and once again Community Unit School District 308 will help to keep pantry shelves well stocked.

Later this month, schools in the district will have the opportunity to participate in the district’s second annual food drive for the Kendall County Food Pantry from September 21 to September 30. The food drive will serve as a contest between the elementary schools, junior highs, and high schools leading up to the Crosstown Challenge football game on October 2. The winning schools will be announced at halftime of the Varsity game.

“This is a wonderful way for students and the community to be able to combat hunger locally,” Associate Superintendent for Administrative Services Dr. John Sparlin said. “When we align our efforts, we generate more interest and have a stronger impact. If we all do a little, it adds up to a lot.”

The winners of the food drive will be determined by the total number of items collected at each school. There will be winners declared at the elementary level, junior-high level, and high-school level.

Donation boxes will be available in all schools from September 21 to September 30. Fans attending the game will receive a raffle ticket for each can of food they bring and a chance to win prizes announced throughout the game.

Elementary schools will focus on collecting baby supplies (formula, diapers, wipes, food, etc.), dry food (pasta, dry beans, boxed meals, etc.), and condiments (ketchup, mustard, relish, etc.). Junior high schools will focus on collecting cleaning supplies (dish soap, laundry detergent, etc.), breakfast (cereal, pancake mix, etc.) and baking items (flour, sugar, etc.). The high schools will concentrate on collecting paper (napkins, paper towels, toilet paper, tissue, etc.), toiletries, and canned food (soup, fruit, vegetables, etc.). Any item will be accepted at each location.

The food drive occurs at a critical time before the holiday season, when food donations are not at their peak. It also aligns the efforts of individual schools to maximize the community’s impact in fighting hunger locally.

School District 308 will attempt to break the record it set in last year’s inaugural district-wide food drive for the largest single donation ever made to the Kendall County Food Pantry, with more than 58,000 items donated.

For more information please visit www.SD308.org.