TYLER (KYTX) - The 22nd annual Pantry Raid competition between Robert E. Lee and John Tyler High School students has kicked off.
The students at both high schools have a friendly competition to help feed hungry East Texans. The food and funds the students collect will benefit hungry East Texans through the East Texas Food Bank's partner agencies. The school that collects the most amount of food will earn bragging rights and proudly display the traveling trophy at their school for the year.
"We are extremely excited about pantry raid this year," said Kendall Bullock, Robert E. Lee Pantry Raid Chair. "We are especially looking forward to helping out our community, and it's such a great feeling to see such a large amount of people unite and rally for a local cause."
"We as a student body find it essential in giving back to our community and helping those that are less fortunate. Therefore, we are contributing all of our effort and attention to this particular community service project. Every year, we participate and every year our hearts overflow with joy by the simple fact of knowing that we're making a difference in our own community," said CeRon Ford, John Tyler Student Council President. "We look forward to a mouth dropping result. Go Lions!"
Over the last 21 years, the students have collected over 965,000 pounds of food combined. This year, the East Texas Food Bank is expecting the students to break 1 Million pounds of food collected through the event.
"The Pantry Raid has grown to become one of our largest food and fund raising drives of the year," said Dennis Cullinane, executive director of the East Texas Food Bank. "This event is helping to create a legacy of giving in our young citizens. We are truly grateful to the students for their incredible energy in producing these impressive food and cash contributions over the years towards the fight against hunger in our communities."
Donations of non]perishable canned food items will be accepted at both high schools through
Friday, September 14th. You can also support either school by making a financial donation online at www.EastTexasFoodBank.org/PantryRaid. The Pantry Raid results will be announced at the Robert E. Lee and John Tyler football game on Friday, September 14th. Also, September is national Hunger Action Month. To find out other ways you can take action against hunger, go to www.EastTexasFoodBank.org.
