High School Students Compete to Feed Hungry

(Tyler, Texas) August 30, 2019 – The 29th annual Pantry Raid competition between Tyler Lee and John Tyler High School students has kicked off. The students at both Tyler ISD high schools have a friendly competition each year to help feed hungry East Texans. Students are asking the community for their help by donating non-perishable food items or funds at the school of their choice. The food and funds the students collect will benefit hungry East Texans who turn to the East Texas Food Bank’s partners and feeding programs for help. The school that collects the most amount of food will earn bragging rights and proudly display the traveling trophy at their school for the year.

“You never know at school who at home is struggling with meals,” said John Tyler Student Council President and senior Nia Edwards. “Not only can we provide for people we go to school with, but we provide to people outside of school and the community.”

“Pantry Raid, I view, is super important,” said Tyler Lee Student Council President and senior Michael Foley. “It’s one of the major ways that students can affect our community in a massive way through the East Texas Food Bank. I think we do our best job to raise the most food and help out as much as we can.”

Over the last 28 years, students have collected over 1,300,000 pounds of food combined, providing over 1,111,000 additional meals to children, families and seniors that the East Texas Food Bank serves.

“The Pantry Raid matters because out East Texas communities sorely need the energetic engagement of our young people in the fight against hunger,” said Dennis Cullinane, CEO of the East Texas Food Bank. “The student bodies of Tyler Lee and John Tyler are our future and through Pantry Raid are making a substantial contribution towards building a better world – and we are grateful!”

Donations of non-perishable canned food items will be accepted at both high schools through Friday, September 6th. You can also support either school by making a monetary donation online at EastTexasFoodBank.org/PantryRaid. The results will be announced during halftime at the Tyler Lee and John Tyler football game on Saturday, September 7th.