This year, the annual school food drive raised $4,785.95 and over 10,000 pounds of food. The food drive started on Tuesday, November 13 and ended on Friday, December 7. The purpose of the food drive was to collect monetary donations, in addition to actual canned food.

Most of the canned food and money will be donated to Second Harvest Food Bank in Santa Clara, California. It will go to many families in need around Santa Clara County. However, this year, the school will be sending 25 percent of the proceeds to the Red Cross in order to help support Hurricane Sandy relief efforts.

“My hope for the drive this year is that we will contribute a significant amount of food and money to the bank as well as money towards Hurricane Sandy so that we can help both within our community and also on the other side of the country,” ASB vice president senior Rachel Pinkelman said.

This year, the school reached its goal of raising over 10,000 pounds of food for the food bank,and sent over $1,000 to the Red Cross to help with Hurricane Sandy Relief.

“It shows that we care about people besides ourselves,” sophomore class treasurer Riley Kahan said.
Mr. Bjorklund’s third period class raised the most money and therefore will be receiving doughnuts courtesy of ASB for its donations and efforts.

Although this year the food drive started out slowly and needed to be extended past its original ending date, the school was still successful and will be impacting the community and benefiting those in need.

“This drive is definitely one of the most successful drives held at our school,” Rachel said. “Every year we contribute a huge amount to Second Harvest and they are very grateful for our donations. I’m sure Second Harvest will appreciate everything we give them.”
Next year, the school is planning to raise its goal to make an even bigger impact on the community and help out the less fortunate during the holidays.

“Next year, it’s only logical to set a higher goal, so probably 12,000 pounds,” Riley said.