CLINTON COUNTY, Ill. — High school football season continues in Missouri and Illinois, Friday night.
Students and staff at two area high schools have been competing all week in Tackle Hunger. That’s been the case this week in the Clinton County town of Breese, Illinois.
There, students at Breese Central spent the week collecting non-perishable food items. Operation Food Search officials say Tackle Hunger was one of their most-successful collection events, last year.
Thursday, Breese Central Principal Roger Freeze said, “You know it really just gives us an opportunity to bring the county together. It goes through the two schools and it’s for a good cause.
Breese Central student Preston Baker characterized the friendly competition.
“Obviously we hope for our school to be the better school, of the two,” said Baker. “And we hope we can help the community and the people in need.”
“I had a friend this morning bring in a whole box full,” said Breese Central student Zoe Luth. “And I think a class yesterday collected 115, just from that day.”
Crosstown rival Meter Dei Catholic is the school Breese Central is going up against, in this second week of Tackle Hunger. This year is Tackle Hunger III, made possible on 5 On Your Side by Neighbors Credit Union. While you cannot donate food items at the Friday night football games, you can drop off during business hours at any St. Louis area Neighbors Credit Union.
“We’re just helping the community, and helping people in need,” said Mater Dei student Carson Klostermann. “That’s what this is all about.”
Mater Dei Student Alyssa Koerkenmeier explained how they motivated students and staff.
“We did kind of like a TikTok trend, like – 'Hey, what are you bringing? What home room do you think is going to win the challenge?'”
Mater Dei Principal Dennis Litteken said, “We really preach a lot about being the hands of Christ. And it fits right in from the beginning of the school year. It really helps us start that mindset.”
Operation Food Search dropped off 15 plastic barrels for food donations at each school, Monday. They will collect and weigh those donations from Breese Central and Mater Dei, Friday afternoon.
The results will be announced on “5 On Your Sideline” during the Friday 10 p.m. sports segment.
Next week’s Tackle Hunger competitors are St. Francis Borgia and St. Dominic. Those two high schools will compete all week and square off on Sept. 13.