Local students collect canned goods to feed families

    Some 11,453 students from 26 local schools collected 31,173 cans from Oct. 20 to Nov. 7 to help those less fortunate in our community over the holidays.  

    The schools chose which charity they wanted to support and the cans were distributed to feed families in need through Love’s Kitchen, Salvation Army and Wesley House Community Center.

     Popeyes and Little Caesars sponsor the event each year and work with schools within the city and county.

    Participating schools were Calvary Christian, Carver Middle School, Clarkdale Elementary School, Clarkdale High School, Clarkdale Middle School, Community Christian School, Crestwood Elementary, Lamar Elementary, Lamar Middle and High School, Magnolia Middle School, Meridian High School ~ 9th Grade, Northeast Elementary, Northeast High School, Northeast Middle School, Oakland Heights Elementary, Poplar Springs Elementary, Southeast Elementary, Southeast High School, Southeast Middle School, St. Patrick School, T.J. Harris Upper and Lower Elementary, West Lauderdale Elementary, West Lauderdale High School and West Lauderdale Middle School.

     The six homerooms that collected the most cans received a $250 cash award to be used by each teacher for the needs of her classroom and students. The homerooms also received gift certificates from Popeyes and Little Caesars for chicken/pizza parties.

    The top six homerooms were Community Christian with 33 students collecting 1,008 cans; Thomonique Daniels Pre-K Class from Crestwood with 19 students collecting 822 cans; Daniel Young’s West Lauderdale High School class of 32 students collecting 702 cans; Coach Shaffer’s Lamar Middle School class with 16 students collecting 679 cans; LeAnne Mueller’s Lamar Elementary 5th Grade Class with 12 students collecting 669 cans; and Jaycee Butler’s 4th Grade Lamar Elementary class of 17 students collected 647 cans.

     Cans were picked up and delivered to the charities with the help of employees, friends and trucks as well as a driver donated by Graham Moving & Storage and U-Save Auto.