SGA canned food drive collects over 2,000 items

The SGA provided a free breakfast this morning to the three classes with the most donations as a reward for their participation. Social studies teacher David Swaney's Comparative Government class took first place with 290 food items, while physical education teacher Brooke Franceschini's health class won second place with 190 items and social studies teacher George Vlasits's U.S. History class came in third with 163 items, according to SGA Vice President and project coordinator Jessica Arce.

Swaney believed that his students' good-natured competition drove them to the win. "They totally motivated themselves," he said. "They're exceptionally competitive in their altruism."

Many SGA members expressed disappointment with the number of non-perishable items collected this year, which was significantly lower than the record-setting 5,393 food items collected last year. However, Brown explained that the figures for last year are misleading. "I think we could have done a little better this year, but last year we had the Ramen incident," she said. "Some classes bought a whole bunch of Ramen and [the SGA] counted it toward the class competition. This year we weren't accepting that."

SGA co-sponsor Claudette Smith attributed the smaller number of donations to a worsening economy. "We're facing difficult times, so I'd consider it a success," she said. "We would have liked to collect more, but a lot of people are facing hard times and their cans make a difference."

Regardless of the amount collected, Smith believed the donations will have an impact on the local community. "I don't think people realize how many Blair students are facing difficult times, how these cans could end up helping Blair students," she said.