After last year’s event raised a record 817,038 meals, the Student Hunger Drive is back.
This year, with fewer food donations from U.S. Department of Agriculture programs and manufacturers/distributors and increased costs for families, the drive is paramount to increase supplies and varieties of food to distribute to community members in need.
Key 2023 food drive events include:
- Kick-Off Party and Skit Competition – 6 to 8 p.m., Monday, Oct, 2, The Spotlight Theater, 1800 Seventh Ave, Moline.
- Loading Day – 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 10, River Bend Food Bank, 4010 Kimmel Drive, Davenport.
- Finale Rally – 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 10, The Spotlight Theater, 1800 Seventh Ave, Moline.
“The Student Hunger Drive is one of our most recognizable fundraisers and also our most fun,” said Nancy Renkes, president and CEO of River Bend Food Bank in a news release. “We love being able to bring hunger education and awareness to the next generation, while empowering students to support our mission in their own creative ways. It’s great for the students and a great benefit to our community.”
Since 1985, the Student Hunger Drive’s six-week “friendly competition” between area high schools has provided more than 16 million meals to children and adults facing hunger in River Bend Food Bank’s 23-county service area.
17 schools join food fight
This year, students from 17 area high schools will participate in the food and funds drive. It will engage them in meeting a crucial community need while introducing them to service and philanthropy.
Through the drive, students plan and execute their own food and fund drives from Oct. 2 through Nov. 9. They set goals for their school while “competing” with other area high schools for the honor of being named top fundraisers in their school’s division. During this hands-on leadership development experience, students are educated about hunger and volunteerism. They also work with the food bank and elementary and middle schools to organize their school’s drive, the food bank said.
Hunger a national challenge
According to the Feeding America’s Map the Meal Gap Study, hunger continues to be a prevalent issue that requires a communitywide response. In 2022, an estimated 49 million people accessed food assistance programs across the U.S. That shows the work of food banks and food pantries is essential to prevent devastating food insecurity during this time of high inflation and economic instability.
The Student Hunger Drive gives thousands of students the opportunity to become a greater part of the community-wide effort to end hunger. Students collect items in their neighborhoods and at their schools. They also hold special school events and challenges to collect monetary and food donations. Students package collected food and deliver it to River Bend’s warehouse at the end of the competition.
The 2023 Student Hunger Drive sponsors include: The Bechtel Trusts, Hy-Vee, CBI Bank, Smart Auto and the John Deere Foundation.
The 2023 Student Hunger Drive participating schools are: Alleman High School, Assumption High School, Bettendorf High School, Davenport Central High School, Davenport North High School, Davenport West High School, Mid-City High School, Moline High School, Morning Star Academy; North Scott High School, Orion High School, Pleasant Valley High School, Quad Cities Christian School, Rivermont Collegiate, Rock Island High School, Sherrard High School, United Township High School.
