St. John’s Prep Students Collect $1,800, 900 Pounds of Food to Help Local Hungry Families

(KNSI) — The St. Joseph Community Food Shelf received a large donation of money and food from the students at St. John’s Prep.

Those in grades 6 through 12 collected $1,800 and 900 pounds of food, which will be used locally to help hungry families. Thanks to a matching grant, the monetary gift will double to $3,200.

A little competition was involved as Prep has a lighthearted contest between middle school homerooms and upper school advising groups.

Matt Beck, the Saint John’s Prep Benedictine Center for Leadership, Service, and Community director, coordinated the campaign. “Students had fun competing to collect the most money and food! A group of freshmen, led by English teacher Robert Erickson, raised the most money and a sixth-grade homeroom, led by Middle School teacher Carlee Biechler, collected the most food. Both of these teachers live in St. Joseph. The winning classrooms will get a fun cookie party as a prize.”

Prep students brought in non-perishable food items, including canned vegetables, boxes of stuffing, dry biscuit mix, cans of broth and cream of mushroom soup, bags of potatoes and other holiday staples. The money will be used to purchase turkeys, pies, buns, and other perishable items. More than 30 families will be provided with a hearty Thanksgiving meal.

“This food drive is a very important resource to provide holiday meals for families in need,” said Beck. “This annual effort is also beneficial for our students and leads to valuable discussions about empathy, gratitude, and community responsibility.”

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