Food Drive Produces Huge Donation to Local Food Pantry

Last week, students from the LaFayette Jr./Sr. High School made a special delivery to the LaFayette Outreach Food Pantry: about 600 cans of food!

Organized by high school English Teacher Maura Daly, this food drive accepted both non-perishable food and monetary donations. Maura mentioned that she runs a program in her classroom whereby students who donate five cans of food or five dollars can earn a point card that is redeemable toward classroom activities. Other participating teachers/classrooms often have their own “reward system” in place, and definitely try to be part of the drive: “There has never been a teacher unwilling to participate,” according to Maura.

The food drive also represents something personal for Maura, who used to work in a food pantry prior to becoming a teacher. “I learned how low food supplies can get after the start of winter and into the holiday season,” said Maura.

Any monetary donations were used to purchase additional food and toiletries to be donated to the pantry. Having just completed its sixth year, the annual food drive typically begins after Thanksgiving break and progresses through the first part of December.

“I ask a few seniors every year to volunteer and help manage it,” Maura says, regarding the food drive. “The school has been very supportive, and the students enjoy participating in the program!”