Throughout the month of November and up until December 6, the Key Club is hosting its annual canned food drive. The donated food items will be distributed on December 13 and 14. 

“[The goal of the food drive is to] provide non-perishable items to 250 Washington Township school families who might otherwise struggle to provide a happy holiday season for their families,” speech teacher and food drive coordinator Lynda McQuiston said.

McQuiston outlines the different types of food able to be donated.

 “Non perishable items [can be donated], including canned, boxed and bagged foods. The only exception is that is must not have an expiration date that is exceeded,” McQuiston said. 

Students can donate food items by placing them in boxes stationed in their first period classroom. The class with the most food items donated at the end of the food drive receives a prize.

This year, the Key Club wants to beat the record of 38,275 items set in the 2012-2013 school year. In order to do so, people can do more than just donate items.

“There are many different ways to get involved in helping the Canned Food Drive and support those around our community in need,” McQuiston said. 

Senior Class Council’s Smash for Cash, which ran from November 11-15, benefits the food drive immensely. Money raised from the fundraiser helps buy items like milk, bread and other non-perishable items that are not donated by students. Other school clubs also participate in fundraising for the food drive, including Student Council, National Honor Society, the AVID program, the Bridge Program and the North Central Athletic Department, among others.