School System Encourages Students, Community to Donate to Food Drive

Although it's impressive that the school system collected 142,992 pounds of food and $97,476 in cash last year for the Harvest for the Hungry–Kids Helping Kids food drive, Anne Arundel County Public Schools Superintendent Kevin Maxwell hopes to collect even more this fall.

"We raise the bar of expectations every year, and every year I am inspired by the lengths to which our students, parents, teachers, and staff go to help our county’s less fortunate,” Maxwell said in a release. “Children who worry more about why they didn’t have breakfast or whether they will have dinner can’t very well be expected to apply themselves fully to their academic endeavors."

Maxwell challenged schools and the community to increase donations by 5 percent to collect 150,142 pounds of food and $102,350 in cash through Nov. 4.

"I urge all of our employees, parents and students, as well as our community and business partners and other governmental agencies, to join us in this drive," Maxwell continued in a release. "Together, we are creating a brighter future for children and, ultimately, for all of us.”

County schools will hold a variety of events to promote the campaign to collect money and nonperishable food items.

At Meade and Old Mill, students are helping lead efforts to help increase donations. Old Mill also has a program that gives .

"We've got various events going on and one 11th grader who's trying to do a special fundraiser to raise money for Harvest for hte Hungry," said Tammy Perry, an administrative assistant at Old Mill High. 

Various Old Mill clubs such as the Key Club also participate in the collection. The kids sell food at school, various football and basketball games and outside stores.

The food items most needed include:

• Canned meats
• Cereal
• Peanut butter
• Canned vegetables or fruits
• Canned soup
• Pasta and macaroni and cheese

Items can be donated at any public school in the county and checks should be made out to the “Anne Arundel County Food and Resource Bank” with the notation “Kids Helping Kids” in the memo line.

For more information on the Anne Arundel County Food and Resource Bank, call 410-923-4255.