Food Fight: Students at RHS fight hunger in the community
Students at Rugby High School competed in the second annual Mentor Group Food Fight this month.
Students were divided into 27 mentor groups, with faculty members as leaders.
Just in time for Thanksgiving, roughly 100 total baskets were donated to the Pierce County Food Bank as a result of this competition. Seventy-two complete baskets were made, and the rest were constructed of additional and extra items.
To be considered complete, food baskets must have included two canned soups; three canned vegetables; two boxed sides, such as mashed potatoes, Hamburger Helper, stuffing, Rice-a-Roni, etc.; two canned proteins, such as tuna, chicken, salmon or beans; two condiments and/or spices, such as ketchup, mustard, salad dressing, and salt and pepper; juice; two cereal items; and one easy-to-make dessert.
Rita Sveet’s mentor group came in first place, with 15 complete baskets. Sveet’s group will be rewarded with a yet-to-be-determined prize from a local business, according to RHS Principal Jared Blikre.
“The goal is to unite and empower students in the commitment to fight hunger and to promote volunteerism and leadership,” Blikre said.
Second place was awarded to Meghan Olson’s group, and Kyle Vareberg’s group placed third.
“The part I like most about it is that it teaches kids to give,” said Ashley Stricker, chairperson of the Food Fight committee and RHS Language Arts teacher.
Other members of the committee include Sveet, Blikre, Olson, Leah Johnson, Jan Hagen, and Brian Olson.