Every week about 1,300 different people receive emergency food provided through the Wichita Falls Area Food Bank. This year, Rider students were asked to bring canned goods to school so they could be collected and brought to the Wichita Falls Area Food Bank. Out of the 1,750 students attending Rider, 440 pounds of food was donated. That is less than 25 cents per student in cans.
In the past years canned foods were brought to fourth period classes and there was a competition between teachers.
“About two thousand pounds of food was donated in the past,” librarian Sally Mroczkowski said.
Because of the staff change, it became a hotly contested race. Therefore the contest was put to a stop.
Some students gave their input on why they thought there was a low amount of food donated this year.
“Some people may not have enough to give,” sophomore Erica Brown said.
Sophomore Leigh McBride said that there wasn’t enough time to know about the contest and it was not advertised much. Sophomore, Laura Sorge believes that some people may have only donated for the t-shirts.
Although some may not have enough, every little donation can make a huge difference no matter how big or small. If there was not enough notice or it’s too late to bring canned goods to the school, the food bank is open for anyone who still wants to donate food.
Many students have their own reasons on why they feel it’s necessary to donate food this Thanksgiving season.
“It’s important to donate to people that are less fortunate, and it’s not that hard of a task to help them and bring food to them,” sophomore Bailey Guttierez said.
The Wichita Falls Area Food Bank serves Wichita and 10 surrounding counties. In this area 1 in every 6 people of all different ages wake up every morning unsure if they will have a meal today.
“I think it’s important to bring cans to the food drive because it shows public awareness, it shows that you know there are people out there that have less than you and that you care about those people. And it also helps you appreciate what you have.” Senior Lee Williamson said.
The number of homeless students in the district at the end of last school year (2011-2012) was 490, so far this year (2012-2013), 386 students have already been identified as homeless. As Rider students, giving any amount of donation can help make this number lower every year.