WHS Marching Band Kicks off School Year with Food Drive

A release from the Wakefield Food Pantry:

On Saturday, Sept. 14, the Wakefield High School Marching Band, led by Tom Bankert, director of performing/visual arts for Wakefield Public Schools — and supported by their friends and family— ran yet another highly successful food drive for guests at the Wakefield Food Pantry.

The food drive resulted in 8,544 high-quality food items for the food pantry’s guests. Examples of these healthy foods include peanut butter, hearty soups, pasta, pasta sauce, canned vegetables, and cereal.

“The WHS Marching Band’s food drive with the Wakefield Food Pantry is a powerful way to kick off the school year,” says Bankert. “Our members and their friends and family engage in a friendly competition each year to deliver the most healthy food items for the food pantry’s guests. We have a lot of fun doing it, and we can’t wait to kick off next year’s food drive!”

“As a nonprofit organization focused on serving the needs of Wakefield’s community, we rely on the kindness and generosity of our schools and civic organizations,” says Maureen Miller, executive director, Wakefield Food Pantry. “The WHS Marching Band, its leadership, and parents and family members never disappoint when they run a food drive.

“As a result of their collective efforts, our guests now have access to 8,544 healthy foods. We are incredibly grateful and look forward to next year’s food drive with the WHS Marching Band!” adds Miller.