The longstanding tradition of the Canned Food Drive has been positively affecting Eureka for at least the past decade. Every November, Eureka students collectively work to raise 30,000 cans to give back to the community through the Eureka Food Pantry.
Giada Corio, 10, is a chair member of the Canned Food Drive this year.
“Being on the chairs this year, I’m excited to decorate the school with the tally board,” Corio said. “Hopefully we have some new ideas to draw more people to bring some cans.”
The Canned Food Drive is working to raise 30,000 cans to help families in Eureka. While canned foods like fruit and vegetables are needed, some examples of other foods that are accepted and encouraged are mac and cheese, peanut butter, ramen, uncooked pasta, cereal, quick meals, soup and more. Many nonperishables such as boxes and jars will also earn extra points.
“It’s a fun way to bring us all together to help the community,” Student Council (STUCO) Representative and chair member Olivia Royal, 12, said.
Each nonperishable item brought in is worth different points. Tiny cans, ramen noodles, cheese crackers and granola bars are a half point. Regular size cans with soup veggies, fruits, macaroni and cheese and tomato cans are one point. Larger boxed items like Hamburger Helper, Noodle-Roni, chili, Spaghettios and canned meat (including tuna) are two points. Lastly cereal boxes (regular not mini), spaghetti sauce jars, very large cans, peanut butter and jelly and large juice cans or bottles are worth three points.
“My freshman year, the whole school was really into it and competitive about it, I think that’s kind of faded,” Royal said.
The Canned Food Drive is able to bring the community at Eureka together every fall. The drive helps families all over Eureka in and out of school. Local Eureka businesses have also been donating to the Canned Food Drive. High & Dry Foundation Repair , Exit 11, Sarah’s on Central, Walmart, Taco Bell and Quick Trip are just a few businesses who made a contribution. It is thought that this tradition started as a result of wanting to give to families in need during the thanksgiving season. Compared to other schools, Eureka is more prominent in our Canned Food Drive with the online promotion and posters hung throughout the halls.
“We have a more tight knit school and community than Lafayette and other schools,” STUCO class of 2028 Vice President Allison Fish, 10, said.
In recent years, some students believe that the Canned Food Drive has lost popularity. Last year’s goal was 30,000 and while there were a couple big donations, in the end they only reached 21,000 cans. However, this year, STUCO met and exceeded their goal of 30,000 with a total of 35,000 cans. While in the past students have broken the 30,000 mark with 50,000 cans, this is a good start to getting back to pre-covid records and being able to feed as many families as possible.
“This is super beneficial for our community,” Communications Director Alora Raterman, 11, said, “Everyone should have the right to have that basic necessity.”
