PRESS RELEASE

      For Immediate Release

December 3, 2015

     Kenmore East annual food drive benefits the Food Bank of WNY

Ever sit in a class with a turkey teaching? It’s actually pretty funny. Kenmore East’s annual Gobblin’ Up Hunger food drive, sponsored by Student Congress,  got students and faculty involved in donating food, having fun with the Biggest Turkey contest, and helping out local families in need.  The food drive ran from November 1^st through November 25^th.

The faculty winner of the Biggest Turkey contest, based on the number of food items placed in his or her barrel, “won” the right to spend one entire school day dressed as a turkey. Congratulations go out to social studies teacher Chris Knab who was the Biggest Turkey with 2,991 food items donated to his barrel. Knab donned the turkey costume on Wednesday November 25^th , much to the delight of students and faculty alike.

The Gobblin’ Up Hunger food drive has collected donations for the Food Bank of WNY for the last 12 years. In the past 12 years of the food drive, Kenmore East  has collected 121,613 items. All food collected goes to local families in need, many who are in Ken-Ton District.

“We try to identify families in need at Kenmore East,” said Jeff Diegelman, English teacher and co-organizer of the food drive. “You never know, it could be the student sitting next to you who is in need.”

Students are the most important support of the food drive and the reason it is so successful year after year.

“Students are the main participants,” said Jeff  Liss, English teacher and co-organizer. “The food is brought in by the students, students take the cash donations and buy the food, and students sort and organize the food items.”

Teachers also step in to help the food drive by donating money and food and cheering on student participation.

Nicole Pauly, Government teacher, encourages her classes to take part in the food drive by allowing students to earn service hours when they bring in a certain amount of cans. Each year, the Government classes choose one teacher to support in the Biggest Turkey contest and they bring in items to ensure their choice wins.

This excitement all works towards the cause of providing needy families with food and supporting the work of the Food Bank of WNY.

            “Sometimes you have to encourage kids to give back to the community,” said Diegelman.  “This food drive is one of the most positive experiences of the school year. The seniors usually spearhead the event.”

Kenmore East donated 6,382 food items to the Food Bank of WNY this year.