WES food drive seeks 3,400 items
Giving back to the community is one lesson Russellville City Schools administrators prioritize, according to West Elementary School Principal Deanna Hollimon. One of the ways WES tries to instill that generosity in their students is through an annual canned food drive.
“We accept more than just canned items, though. Any nonperishable foods like rice and peanut butter are acceptable,” Hollimon said.
This year WES’ goal is to raise 3,400 items by the 100th day of school. Last year students collected more than 3,500 cans by the 100th day. All of the proceeds go toward the Faith Mission Outreach, which is owned by Calvary Baptist Church.
“We wanted to keep it within the community and help our people here,” Hollimon said.
It is also a way for the students to engage in healthy competition and practice their counting skills, Hollimon said. Each classroom has a graph in the cafeteria they fill up as they collect items.
“They’re able to see how the other classes are doing, and it encourages them to want to do more,” Hollimon said.
She encouraged any community members who would like to donate to do so. If a contributor knows a student at the school and would like to donate on their behalf, they can let the school know, and coordinators will add the donation to that student’s class credit.
