September 25, 2021 – For 20 years the WSOY Food Drive has depended on the help of local schools to help bring in donations to local food pantries and shed light on community needs to the younger generation. Many of those students are the beneficiaries of those donations raised. Local administrators and teachers helped highlight the importance of the food drive to those schools.
Eisenhower High School was the winner of last year’s school competition. Dr. Amy Zahm-Duncheon, Principal of Eisenhower High School, has been an administrator at the school for 10 years of its involvement. “Every year I see Alumni and recent graduates doing what they can to support the Food Drive on behalf of the EHS,” said Dr. Zahm-Duncheon.
When asked what the school has planned to help repeat as the top donor school, she said, “Of course with the Pandemic, it is especially difficult right now to raise money, but our students amaze me every single year. Given that over 74% of the EHS families are low-income, it is incredible to know that we have given the Private and surrounding schools some major competition. I remember the first time we made it into the top 5 schools and now we are the top! With the help of the Community and Alumni, we hope we can support the WSOY Food Drive at the same level as the previous school year. As of now, we are planning the following: collecting donations at our next football game, student dress down day for a donation, competition between staff, advertising the online donation process, and class competition that will be applied to Homecoming Week.”
Donations aren’t the only thing schools have contributed in the past. Nick Blackburn, Principal of St. Patrick School, noted that his favorite memories come from his students donating their time and effort. “My favorite memories are of our children singing at the Food Drive event. Nothing makes me happier than seeing our students perform something after they have worked hard on a task. Our hope was to inspire others with this song to donate toward this amazing cause. It also allowed our students the chance to see the larger operation of the Food Drive and the effort it takes to make it such a success for our community.” said Blackburn.
For something to last 20 years, there needs to be a massive amount of support from the surrounding communities as well as the Decatur community itself. When asked what she thought helped the event reach the 20-year mark, Mt. Zion Junior High & High School Life Science Teacher Neysa D0wns said, “The community, the sponsors, and the donors make this event possible. There are so many things in this world that are a mess right now but this event PROVES how people can come together to help others and give back to the community. I LOVE THAT!!!”
The 20th annual WSOY Community Food Drive will be held at the Airport Plaza Kroger on Friday, October 8. If you would like to volunteer, click here. If you would like to donate, go here.
