Food Fight For A Good Cause In Strongsville

STRONGSVILLE, OH — Food fights are not usually encouraged by teachers and staff at schools. For one thing, they're a mess to clean up. But a group of teachers at Strongsville's elementary schools pushed their students to do just that: have a big ole' food fight.

Of course, the students were actually bringing food into the school to donate to the Strongsville Food Bank, not hurl at one another's faces. So the clean-up wasn't nearly as bad.

The Food Fight program sets the various elementary schools within the district against each other. Whoever accumulates the most food for donation (based on the average donation per student), wins a trophy and the bragging rights of being the 2017 Food Fight Champion. (Stay up-to-date on all things local by subscribing to the Strongsville Patch newsletter.)

The friendly competition evolved over time. The district's elementary schools used to conduct independent food drive, typically held around the holidays. A discussion with Kelly Kling, the Food Bank coordinator, changed all that.

Kling told teachers the Food Bank needed food during the summer months. So Kelli Corell and Kim Weers, Surrarrer Elementary teachers, and the elementary school counselors decided to collaborate on a new program that involved all of the elementary schools.

That program became the Food Fight.

The 2017 Food Fight was a massive success. The drive raised 4,898 donated items for the Food Bank. That more than doubles the 2016 Food Fight totals. Surrarrer Elementary were the 2017 winners.

The program ropes in more than just parents and students. Staff in the cafeterias supplied boxes and surpluses of food for the drive, Corell said in an email to Patch. Other building staff, like secretaries and teacher's aides, also bring in and collect food.

"Altruism...I do good for others, I feel good," said Corell when asked what students learn from the program. "The students also learned that no matter your age, you can make a difference! Also, part of the 4th grade social studies curriculum is reviewing ways to become involved in your community government. This project provided an authentic experience for our 4th graders."

Photos from Strongsville Schools