Saluda Trail Middle School held a Thanksgiving Food Drive beginning November 3  where 6th, 7th and 8th graders competed to collect the most canned food. Saluda Trail Middle school did the drive to supported the Catawba Area Coalition for the Homeless (CACH), which helps provide food for families in need for the holidays.

 Students learned about the competitions through hallway posters and the morning news. Each grade brought in canned food to help support the cause.

“This was a great food drive,” said Denyana Alexander , an 8th grader. She said donating made her” feel grateful.” She said she was happy to donate because ” food cost a lot of money these days.”

The 6th grade won the competition by a whopping 31 cans. Sixth-grade collected 396 cans, while seventh-grade had 365 cans.  Eighth grade collected at total of 270 cans. The sixth-graders earned a  dress down day as their prize. 

Ms. McMillan, a sixth-grade ELA teacher” she was proud of her students for donating out of kindness, especially since participation was optional.

Ms. Eagle, the seventh-grade assistant principal, said more drives and student competitions are planned for the future.  Mrs. McCoy, the seventh-grade school counselor, said Saluda Trail has held student competitions for years for great causes. 

Eighth-grader Mackenzie Leonard not only participated but, felt good about helping others. “It made me feel good to help others who not doing well,” she said.