Fill the Mayflower Canned Food Drive

The 17th annual “Fill the Mayflower Canned Food drive’ ‘has started collecting. Schools in the city and county have collected over 65,000 cans, surpassing last year’s canned food drive by more than 20,000 cans. Twin States News went to capture one of the can pickups this morning.

Clarkdale Attendance Center students collected 7,000 cans to go towards charities in the Lauderdale County area like the Wesley House, Love’s Kitchen, and the Salvation Army.

Over the span of four weeks the students participated in days like “Blow Away Hunger'' receiving a piece of gum for every can they brought in. The sponsors of the food drive awards $200 to the top six collection classrooms overall.

This year 8th grade science teacher Sommer Webb was one of the winners:

“It means more to me to teach our kids more than just science”, said Webb. “To teach them that this is bigger than us. It’s about helping our community, giving back, and knowing that it's going to a good cause”

(pictured left to right) Veronica Culpper, Sommer Webb

The sponsors of the drive included Little Caesars, Squealers BBQ and Weidmann’s restaurant. The businesses partner with all schools in the county and city to make the canned food drive happen.

“The schools step up every year to help the people in Meridian who need the help and who need food this time of the year for Thanksgiving and as you go into the Christmas holiday",said Ken Labruyere. "This is our 17th year. In the past we've collected, 36,000 to 42,000 cans and if these teachers counted correctly; we’re over 70,000 cans and that’s just wonderful.”

The cans will be picked up today and tomorrow from schools. The goal is to fill the Mayflower truck then distribute the cans to charities in the area.