Arcanum School exceeds goal during food drive

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ARCANUM — Arcanum students and staff were able to accumulate a substantial amount of items for this year’s Trick or Treat Canned Food Drive.

Approximately 8,000 was collected in the drive which started Oct. 24 and concluded Oct. 30 at the Community Trick or Treat event.

“This drive was much bigger than before,” said Principal Jason Stephan. “This is the first time the middle school joined us in collecting non-perishable food items. Additional money was also donated for local food pantries: Arcanum Faith United Methodist, Immanuel Baptist in Arcanum and Castine Church of the Brethren.”

He said before this year, the collected items went to Faith United Methodist Church, which received so much their members shared it with others, according to Stephan.

“We tried to fill food bags for an entire year,” he said. “We had canned goods, boxed dinners and lots of macaroni and cheese. We were graciously supported by Sutton’s Super Valu who donated $500 to the cause.”

The National Honor Society, Stephan said, led the efforts of the drive with the help of the middle school student council.

The items she said were picked up last Thursday by Margaret Craig from Faith United Methodist; Terri Greve whose husband Greg is pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church; and by Diana McDonald, representing Castine Church of the Brethren.

“They came and picked up the food items with the kids carrying the items to the vehicles,” Stephan said.

The principal said he believes this is the fifth annual food drive.

“The National Honor Society always did the canned food drive, and Karen Cline asked if we could do something around Halloween,” he recalled. “Here, at Arcanum, we always try to do it big.”

Last year, he said 1,000 items were collected, but said 3,500 items has been the maximum amount received…until this year.

“This year, we were far beyond in the spirit of competition,” he said. “I took a pie in the eye because the high school had the most items.”

If the middle school would have won, Principal Marcus Bixler would have been the target.

“I want to thank the students, staff and community for their support,” Stephan said. “We collected most of the canned goods [in lieu of candy] in town while trick or treating. We collected about 1,500 items on Oct. 30.

What did they do with all the food that was collected prior to giving it to the food pantries?

“We always build a big wall of items upstairs in the high school area so the kids can see how well we have done,” he concluded.

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By Linda Moody

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This writer may be reached at 937-569-4315. Follow her on Facebook and join the conversation and get updates on Facebook by searching Darke County Sports or Advocate 360. For more features online go to dailyadvocate.com.

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