Hunter Scott, staff
People across the country struggle from food insecurity and are unable to access the food that is required to meet their nutritional needs. For this reason, it is important that individuals give their best aid to these struggling people. That is exactly what the FCCLA members have done for people who need assistance with acquiring food in the Sturgis, S.D., area.
The FCCLA concluded a food drive, which held the goal of raising as much food as possible within a month.
“The 2023 FCCLA food drive started on Oct. 21., and ended on Nov 21,” Gracie Sauer (11) said. “Our goal as an FCCLA chapter was to make all students able to contribute to our food drive.”
The event was popular.
“We raised 150 pounds of food in the food drive,” Sauer said.
FCCLA members gather collected food from the food drive in Darla DeKraai’s classroom on Nov. 21. Pictured were Taylor Keyes (11), Kylee Phillips (11), Gracie Sauer (11), Madison Yaw (10) and Avery Thurman (10). photo by Darla DeKraai
Both students and staff from the school were able to donate food to the food drive.
“If they could, they brought food from home and put it in the office at the school,” Kylee Phillips (11) said.
The way FCCLA members gathered the food was effective. The location where the gathered food was kept helped bring attention to the food drive.
“When people came inside [the building], they saw the food as a reminder to bring some,” Phillips said.
There are more ways to bring attention to the food drive than just keeping the food in the office. For example, posters were utilized effectively.
The FCCLA “put out posters to make people aware,” Phillips said.
FCCLA members also found success in “encouraging students and staff to participate,” Taylor Keyes (11) said.
The food drive received many food donations, and the food was sent to a food pantry.
Sauer said, “the food that was donated to the food drive was taken to the local Kiwanis Food Pantry.”
The food that was taken to the Kiwanis Food Pantry, which is located in Sturgis, S.D., was not just all types of food. Food donations consisted of food that was healthy and long-lasting.
Sauer explained that families in need require “healthy food items rather than foods that have high levels of saturated fats.”
“Some things that really help families are food that can last a long time, does not need to be kept at certain temperatures and does not have soon expiration dates,” Phillips said.
When people are struggling as a result of food insecurity, it is important to provide as much aid as possible.
Similar to FCCLA drive, everyone is encouraged to donate food to the Sturgis Kiwanis Food Pantry.
