Put away the cans and pull out your wallet
Food drive now accepting cash donations
LSHS is hosting a cash over cans food drive from December 1 through the 17. The food drive will benefit the Lake Stevens Food Bank and the Little Hungry Hearts Foundation. “This year instead of collecting cans, we are collecting cash because little hungry hearts and the food bank has requested for us to collect cash donations instead of cans,” says Senior Emily Stockdale.
This year’s Food Drive runs from December 1 through December 17. Due to requests from Lake Stevens Food Bank and The Hungry Hearts Foundation, the drive has taken on the motto “Cash, not Cans.” This request was made due to storage shortages and the fact that most of the food expires before the recipients can use it. Money in replacement of the food will allow them to buy the supplies they need when they need it. Collection times are in the mornings from 7-7:30 in the cafeteria and during lunch Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
Lake Stevens goal is for each student to donate five dollars which will amount to $7,500 if everyone participates. This dollar amount will greatly benefit both charities; however, high schoolers don’t have a tendency to give up money.
“At first I wasn’t a fan honestly,” senior Emily Stockdale said. “I know a lot more kids get involved when you donate food instead of money because it’s hard to get high schoolers to donate money…Then I found the reason why [school’s charity partners] wanted [money] made sense and I think we should do whatever they need.”
Community service will not be given for the cash but will be given for the toiletries brought in and the hours spent outside stores collecting goods and money. A bag of new toiletries, paper products, dog/cat food, and/or baby supplies can be worth three hours. To help out in front of a store and get more hours sign up with Alisa Arcos in room 108.
Stockdale believes that the students of LSHS have an obligation to donate. Even though the set up is different this year it is never a reason to avoid donating to those in need.
“I hope they realize that they should do it because it’s the right thing to do…I think you should donate because you want to and you want to make a difference in our community,” Stockdale said.
While monetary donations will help the food back tailor purchasing to fit the needs of the clients and their space, food bank manager Ann Anderson wants the community to know that the Lake Stevens Food Bank can use food any time and is happy to take donations of all kinds and will put them to good use serving its clients. Check out the “Lake Stevens Community Food Bank” Facebook page for constant updates for ways to help.
