ST. LOUIS — The totals are in for Week-8 of Tackle Hunger III, the St. Louis area high school football season food collection effort for Operation Food Search:
- Cardinal Ritter College Prep: 284 pounds of donated food
- DeSmet High School: 5,835 pounds
- Weekly Total: 6,119 pounds
Operation Food Search officials said these donations are valued at $11,075.39, and they represent enough to help Operation Food Search provide quality nutrition to 1,530 people for one day!
“That is many meals for many people,” said Operation Food Search President and CEO Kristen Wild. “Thank you to De Smet and Cardinal Ritter for students and staff members’ efforts.”
The program is made possible by Neighbors Credit Union.
“Terrific news!” said Neighbors Credit Union Senior Vice President-Marketing Paula Anderson. “I love seeing what the students are doing!”
KSDK President and General Manager Alicia Elsner said, “Neighbors Credit Union has been a terrific partner for 5 On Your Side and helped this initiative with Operation Food Search.”
Here’s how it works: On Mondays, Operation Food Search officials drop off 15 empty barrels at two schools that are playing each other in football, Friday night. Students and staff rally their communities and collect donate-able food items all week. Friday, Operation Food Search picks up the barrels filled with donated food items and weighs them. The results are reported during the KSDK Friday 10 p.m. Sports segment “5 On Your Sideline.”
While participating schools are not able to accept donated food items at the Friday night football games, you can drop them off at any area Neighbors Credit Union location during regular business hours.
Operation Food Search officials say the most-wanted food donations include:
- Light Tuna, Salmon & Chicken (canned & pouches)
- Soup, Chili, Stew w/ Meat & Beans
- Canned Fruit (in natural juices)
- Diced Tomatoes, Tomato Paste, Pasta Sauces
- Canned Beans, Canned Vegetables
- Instant Brown Rice, Whole Wheat Pasta
- Dried spices: chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, oregano, basil
- Deodorant, Toothbrushes, Toothpaste
- Low sodium options & pop-top cans are especially appreciated
- Please, no glass or ramen noodles
Next week marks the final week of Tackle Hunger III, and it pits Jerseyville and Columbia, IL, high schools against each other in the food-collection contest. Those two schools will begin collecting donated food items on Monday.