Food for Thought, a can collection for Redemptorist Social Services, concluded on Nov. 20 with the student body collecting a total of 5.26 tons.

Although the drive faced the major obstacle of the student body being online for the final weeks of the drive, STUCO persisted, offering students an opportunity to donate through Venmo or dropping off donations on Thursday, Nov. 19, in a safe socially distanced manor. While the school did not reach its goal of 10 tons, which it had exceeded in years prior, many would still consider the drive a success especially considering the circumstances as according to sophomore class president Annie Stevens.

“The Food for Thought drive was such a success,” Stevens said. “It blew me away, I really didn’t think anyone would come at all.”

@sionkc.highschool

Sion’s 2020 canned food drive was a hit! we can’t wait for part 2 in the spring 👀🌷

♬ Little Bitty Pretty One – Thurston Harris

This year, with the international pandemic, itself has been unpredictable and the collection reflected that as well. The goal was originally set with a two week time frame to reach it and knowledge of success in years prior but as cases arose and the school went online for the period of time the goal seemed impractical but STUCO was impressed with how close the students were to the objective as according to junior class president Grace Beelman. In accordance with the amount collected, the entire student body was awarded with a week of out-of-uniform sweatshirts and the senior class received an out-of-uniform day the Monday following Thanksgiving break.

“We were not expecting the turn out to be as large as normal years because we had a two hour time frame instead of two weeks,” Beelman said, “so we were very impressed that we got as many donations as we did.”

The Redemptorist Social Services was very grateful as they needed donations more than ever this year with the increased loss of jobs and people in need this year according to Social Students Department Chair Jennifer Brown-Howerton. As the goal was not reached, there are plans for a second round of Food for Thought during the second semester to help out further, collect the remaining 4.26 tons and receive a day off school. 

“I am so proud of everyone for making a difference and doing good.” STUCO President Mary Hudak said. “We are helping so many people, which is the true goal of Food for Thought.”