Food Bank Honors Top Collectors, Kicks Off Harvest for the Hungry

Pack 249 (photo by Kate Jones)

In Anne Arundel County, there are nearly 50,000 residents who are food insecure, about half of those children. Food insecure is a term that is used to describe those who don’t have consistent access to food. Almost half of the food insecure population does not qualify for public assistance.

That is where the Anne Arundel County Food Bank comes in, helping to provide food to individuals and families who may not know where their next meal is coming from. They provide the food through a network of food pantries as well as shelters, soup kitchens and even in public venues like after school foods and summer bagged lunch programs.

Schools and civic organizations in our area play a huge role in raising money and hosting food drives to collect non-perishable food items so that the Food Bank can help those in need. Last year, local schools raised hundreds of thousands of dollars as well as thousands and thousands of pounds of food.

Four schools were honored Tuesday in Annapolis for taking top honors in their efforts through the campaign, “Harvest for the Hungry.”

Central Elementary School (photo by Kate Jones)

During the 2011 Harvest for the Hungry campaign, South River was the top school, bringing in 25,840 pounds of food and raising more than $46,000 in donations. The schools and students were given community service awards at the event.

Davidsonville Elementary (5,474 lbs) came in third in food donations, while Central Elementary (4,908 lbs) came in fourth. Central Middle School was also in the top ten. Scroll to the bottom to see the rankings of schools in the area.

“We clearly have a very generous area with many community-service minded kids and families,” said Kate Jones, who attended the ceremony with her son, Declan.

Davidsonville Elementary School (photo by Kate Jones)

Declan and fellow scout Andrew Stecklein were on hand to receive an award on behalf of Cub Scout Pack 249 for their collection efforts.

This year’s Harvest for the Hungry campaign kicks off Oct 15 and runs through Nov. 2. Food collected during the drive goes directly to community food banks, which distribute the food to soup kitchen, food pantries and shelters. The goal for this year’s program is to collect one million pounds of food to feed hungry Marylanders.

Food collections boxes are set up at the schools. Regularly, the food is weighed and picked up by the Anne Arundel County Food Bank. Feel free to send food items or checks/cash via “backpack mail.” If you don’t have children enrolled at local schools, drop boxes are located in the school foyer. Stop by anytime during regular school hours (generally between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.).

Foods that the pantry can use most includes:

Here are the final numbers from the 2011 Harvest for the Hungry Food Drive. Congrats to the schools and the students who made it happen.

Top Collectors (Pounds of Food Collected)

Central Middle School (photo by Kate Jones)

1. South River High School 25,840 lbs.
2. Lindale Middle School 6,677 lbs.
3. Davidsonville Elementary School 5,474 lbs.
4. Central Elementary School 4,908 lbs.

Top Performers (Dollars Collected)

1. South River High School $46,353
2. Davidsonville Elementary School $13,545
3. Central Elementary School $6,113
4. Crofton Middle School $5,181
5. Piney Orchard Elementary School $4,852
6. Old Mill High School $3,617
7. Central Middle School  $2,912

Top Performers

1. South River High School 396,662 lbs.
2. Davidsonville Elementary School 113,834 lbs.
3. Central Elementary School 53,812 lbs.
4. Crofton Middle School 43,733 lbs.
5. Piney Orchard Elementary School 38,817 lbs.
6. Old Mill High School  29,769 lbs.
7. Central Middle School 25,488 lbs.