ST. LOUIS — With nearly half of the 2024 Missouri and Illinois high school football seasons behind us, here are the results of the Tackle Hunger III contest, collecting donations for Operation Food Search.
St. Louis area high schools are competing on the field and at the bottom of the empty food barrel:
Week 1-Aug. 30:
- Pattonville High School: 1,210 pounds
- Fort Zumwalt North High School: 353 pounds
Week 2-Sept. 6:
- Mater Dei High School: 4,237 pounds
- Breese Central Community High School: 3,205 pounds
Week 3-Sept. 13
- St. Dominic High School: 10,830 pounds
- St. Francis Borgia High School: 3,349 pounds
Week 4-Sept. 20:
- Timberland High School: 610 pounds
- Troy Buchanan High School: 5,858 pounds
Students and staff at 18 high schools signed-on to the challenge before the season even started.
Here is the remaining schedule:
Week 5-Sept. 27: Alton Marquette vs. Althoff
Week 6-Oct. 4: Triad vs. Mascoutah
Week 7-Oct. 11: Francis Howell North vs. Francis Howell Central
Week 8-Oct. 18: Cardinal Ritter vs. DeSmet
Week 9-Oct. 25: Jerseyville vs. Columbia
Here’s how it works: Each week, Operation Food Search drops off 15 empty barrels at two schools that are playing each other, Friday night.
Students and staff collect donate-able food items all week. Friday, Operation Food Search picks up the barrels, filled with donated food, and weighs them.
5 On Your Side produces stories about the schools’ collection efforts, which air each Friday on “Today in St. Louis,” (4:30-7 a.m.) and “5 On Your Sideline” (10 p.m. Sports).
“I was thrilled to learn our Tackle Hunger program from last season was Operation Food Search’s largest collection event in 2023!” said KSDK President and General Manager Alicia Elsner. “5 On Your Side is proud to shine a spotlight on the increasing need to address food insecurity in our community.”
Operation Food Search President and CEO Kristen Wild said, “Tackle Hunger is a great example of how dedicated community partners help Operation Food Search meet the immediate need of hunger every day. Working with Neighbors Credit Union, KSDK, and so many area high schools is an impactful way of moving toward our vision of a hunger-free tomorrow.”
Neighbors Credit Union Senior Vice-President – Marketing Paula Anderson said, “Working side-by-side with our employees and our members along with several of the wonderful high schools throughout our community to drive donations for Operation Food Search is impactful and rewarding.”
While food donations are not accepted at the Friday night football games, people can donate at any area Neighbors Credit Union location.
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