Great Crossing High School’s FFA chapter hosted its annual canned food drive in support of the Amen House, Georgetown’s local food pantry, in November.. As the weather turns colder and the days are getting darker, many households find themselves facing tough decisions whether to divide limited resources towards a Thanksgiving meal, or to focus on the more fundamental necessities like keeping the lights on or even keeping their heat on in their homes. The canned food drive steps in to reduce this weight off of their shoulders.
Two driving forces behind the canned food drive are Scott County Schools teachers Amanda Sunda and Nick Maxwell. Over the past decade, these two individuals have raised thousands of cans and involved hundreds of students in this community project. While Sunda has moved her classroom to ECS this school year, she still plans to help serve her community. Sunda has seven years of experience with the canned food drive at Scott County High School, and five years at Great Crossing High School, and has consistently been one of the top donating teachers. She has involved hundreds of students in her efforts to bring in cans for the Amen House, and her team is fondly known as the Sunda Nation.
While ECS doesn’t have an FFA chapter, Sunda is encouraging students at ECS to donate cans for the cause while teaching the importance of civic engagement. “Throughout the years, my main role in the canned food drive is to encourage my students to take informed action. I take steps to inform students of food insecurity in our community and play the role of cheerleader in order to encourage them to do something about it! As an active teacher participant in the drive, I have encouraged students to clean out their pantries and to set up donation boxes throughout the community,” said Sunda.
Part of Sunda Nation’s motivation to bring in large numbers of cans comes from their competition with the Maxwell Mafia team, led by GCHS Counselor Nick Maxwell. Participating in the drive has always been a top priority on Maxwell’s list. “I believe that we all need to do our part to help those in the community and what better way to help than to raise food for those that need it,” stated Maxwell.
Supporting the canned food drive is one way that students can learn more about the problems that exist in their community. Senior Sydney Wilder is one of the many students involved with the event. Wilder said, “To me, helping with the food drive means helping families and providing them with food that will ultimately ensure to them a happier and less stressful holiday season. The canned food drive brings the community together by giving people an opportunity to support the Amen House and those who utilize it. A lot of people actually end up making a donation, and it makes me and many others so happy to see all these people working together to help feed these families.”
Senior Delaney Vittitoethas also been involved with the drive this year, and has learned more the benefits of serving one’s community. Vittitoe said, “The canned food drive creates a sense of community. People are brought together to donate, and put in their time and money to help. I believe that the effort that I and countless others have put into this will not only help the community, but rather inspire others. No matter your age, background, or even lifestyle, anybody can come together to contribute. Even if it is just one singular can, it will help more than you think.”
Donations to the canned food drive can be brought to the front office GCHS until approximately noon on Tuesday, November 26th.
